2025 MWBL CHRISTMAS CLASSIC HOME RUN DERBY

MATANZAS, CUBA – Thursday, December 25, 2025

Forget chestnuts roasting on an open fire! In the coastal city of Matanzas, Cuba, the only things roasting were baseballs. On a glorious 81-degree afternoon, the historic Estadio Victoria de Girón overflowed with a capacity crowd of 22,000 enthusiastic fans. They weren’t there for a traditional holiday feast; they were there for the power-hitting spectacle of the 2025 Mid-West Baseball League (MWBL) Annual Christmas Classic Home Run Derby.

The atmosphere was electric—a unique blend of passionate local Cuban fans and a festive contingent of MWBL supporters who made the trip south to escape the winter chill. As palm trees swayed beyond the outfield walls, twelve of the league’s most feared sluggers stepped onto the diamond to put on a show for the ages.

The Format: ‘Jingle Balls’ and Holiday Power

In keeping with MWBL tradition, the event adhered to the strict “one-representative-per-franchise” rule established in 2017. Twelve elite power hitters—six from the American League and six from the National League—competed in a bracket-style format. Each slugger looked to launch “Jingle Balls” into the Matanzas skyline, trading their traditional team colors for festive, holiday-themed jerseys.

The Contenders: American League

The American League brought a lineup of pure titans, featuring both the reigning MVP and the most versatile talent in the game today.

The Contenders: National League

The National League countered with a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars, led by the National League’s top vote-getter.

A Day to Remember

The sounds of the ballpark were different this Christmas. Instead of organ music, the rhythmic beat of Cuban drums echoed through the stands. Every time a ball cleared the 325-foot fences, the stadium erupted in a sea of cheers and festive chants.

The Shocking Start

The drama began before the first official pitch. Brent Rooker, the heavy favorite from the Sacramento Capitals, sent a shiver through the crowd during early batting practice. A loud “pop” followed a violent swing, and Rooker grimaced, clutching his side. Despite the injury, the gritty slugger insisted on competing. However, the magic wasn’t there; clearly hampered by the pulled muscle, Rooker posted a heartbreaking zero in the first round, failing to advance and leaving the door wide open for an underdog.

Round #1: The Schwarber Show

While Rooker faltered, Kyle Schwarber of the Detroit Crime turned the stadium into his personal loft. Schwarber was the undisputed star of the opening round, tattooing 11 home runs into the upper decks. Not far behind were Eugenio Suarez and Jake Burger, who both showcased smooth, powerful strokes to finish with 7 apiece. Anthony Santander of the Coconut Creek Crushers rounded out the qualifying four with a solid 6 bombs.

The highlight of the round, however, came from the Tempe Tempers’ Jose Ramirez. Though he didn’t advance, he left his mark with a moonshot that seemed to defy physics—a 590-foot blast that nearly exited the stadium, setting a temporary record for the night.

Round #2: The Tide Turns

As the field narrowed, the pressure mounted. In a shocking twist, the first-round leader, Kyle Schwarber, went cold, managing only 2 home runs. Suarez matched that low total, ending their nights early.

This paved the way for Anthony Santander and Jake Burger, who both found their rhythm, launching 5 home runs each to punch their tickets to the final dance. Burger, representing the Bethesda Bandicoots, officially put the league on notice when he eclipsed Ramirez’s distance record, launching a skyscraper of a ball that measured a staggering 594 feet.

The Grand Finale: Burger’s Feast

The finals were a battle of endurance. With fatigue setting in, the distances dipped, but the tension rose. Santander stepped up first for the Crushers, but the tank was nearly empty; he managed just a single home run.

Jake Burger stepped into the box needing only two to win. With the crowd chanting his name, he delivered a 492-foot beauty to tie it, then followed up with a towering drive into the left-field seats to seal the victory. Burger threw his bat into the air as the Bethesda faithful went wild.

By The Numbers: The Burger Era

Jake Burger didn’t just win; he dominated the stat sheet. He left the Christmas Classic with a trophy case full of superlatives:

It was a night where the favorites fell, and a Bandicoot rose to the top of the food chain. As the MWBL stars headed home for the holidays, one name echoed through the winter air: Burger.