Jordan Walker hopes Home Run Derby win inspires Black kids - ESPN

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker hopes each of the 12 balls that cleared the fences in Monday's dramatic Home Run Derby victory can be a launching pad for more Black kids to take up the game of baseball.

Walker hit six consecutive home runs in the final at Citizens Bank Park to edge hometown favorite Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies and win $1 million, which is more than his 2026 salary of $799,400.

While the personal accolades are nice, Walker, 24, said after the contest that he hopes that it inspires more Black kids to follow in his footsteps.

«I mean, I hope it means a lot to them. I want to be a role model for the Black kids, you know, and I want more Black kids in baseball,» said Walker, who hit a total of 31 home runs on his 50 swings over three rounds. «Hopefully this raises some awareness.

»I know a lot of them are playing basketball, football route, but I want them to know the baseball route is open to them, too," Walker said. «And there are a lot of kids that are athletic enough and mentally strong enough — Black kids that can play this game — and I want to see them do it.»

Making mom and dad proud. This moment Jordan's parents watched him win the Home Run Derby is everything