Oneil Cruz’s roar and a 513-foot homer that changed everything
Oneil Cruz didn’t just compete, he redefined the Derby. Smashing 21 home runs in his opening round, Cruz averaged 447 feet per blast.
One in particular made history: a 513-foot missile that tied Aaron Judge’s record for the longest non-Coors Field homer. Coincidence? Hard to say. But what’s clear is that Cruz cemented himself as one of MLB’s most dangerous hitters.
Livvy Dunne’s ‘holy crap’ reaction to Oneil Cruz’s Home Run Derby bombs https://t.co/EVPf6o0WfJ pic.twitter.com/wpi4MppMmY
— New York Post (@nypost) July 15, 2025
Around him, stars like Ronald Acuña Jr. and Junior Caminero couldn’t hide their disbelief. The Derby had found its showman, and his name was Oneil Cruz.
From TikTok to the diamond: Olivia Dunne unexpected influence
Though Olivia Dunne never swung a bat, she became the face of the night’s excitement. As the girlfriend of breakout pitcher Paul Skenes, her presence at the Derby didn’t go unnoticed.
Her stunned reaction to one of Cruz’s homers didn’t just go viral, it captured the spirit of the night in a way that felt fresh and completely authentic.
The fusion of sports, entertainment, and the internet is now undeniable. Clips of Dunne, Skenes, and Cruz heading to Atlanta together for the All-Star festivities revealed a new face of baseball, youthful, connected, and deeply human.
The Home Run Derby is no longer just about towering blasts; it’s a stage for viral stories, unexpected connections, and cross-sport celebrity cameos. And without trying, Olivia Dunne became the centerpiece of one of the most memorable images of the year.
