Brent Rooker Talks Hitting, Extension with A's & Emotional Goodbye to the Oakland Coliseum

In this interview, Oakland A’s slugger Brent Rooker opens up about his journey through the highs and lows of professional baseball, from being overlooked to becoming one of the most productive hitters in the league. Rooker discusses the power of social media, the mental toll of not getting consistent opportunities early in his career, and how the A’s finally gave him the runway to prove himself. He talks about adjusting both physically and mentally, working with performance coaches, and how his brain “keeps receipts” from every doubter. Rooker reflects on pivotal moments, including a college coach who believed in his potential to win SEC Player of the Year, being put on the taxi squad, and eventually stepping into the role of “the guy” in Oakland. He shares insight into the current A’s clubhouse, his thoughts on the future of the team in Sacramento, and what it felt like to put up back-to-back huge seasons at the Coliseum — including the emotions of closing it out on the final day. We dive into his work with the A’s hitting coach, his approach to simplifying the game, and how manager Mark Kotsay has impacted his development. Rooker also shares why he thinks college baseball is broken, what it was like at Mississippi State, and the challenges players face transitioning from college to the pros. He gives a raw look at life off the field — from bouncing between cities to the impact his wife has had on keeping him grounded. #MLB #Baseball #Athletics CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Brent Rookier joins Diggin' Deep! 01:04 - Brent Rooker on his Twitter presence 04:05 - Why Brent chose to sign an extension with the A's 05:05 - What clicked for Brent in 2021 06:09 - The mental roller coaster of being a fringe player 08:00 - How Brent responded to doubt during his rough times 09:22 - Navigating doubt and uncertainty 17:37 - What does it mean to be "that guy" 19:04 - Clubhouse camaraderie 21:56 - Last game at the Coliseum 23:25 - Sacramento move experience 24:09 - Bob Melvin as a manager 26:45 - Overthinking leads to bad things 29:33 - Your checklist for success 31:15 - Promoting baseball 32:44 - Social media impact 36:00 - College baseball experience 38:33 - Lessons learned in college 40:32 - College baseball development 41:50 - Transition from college to minor leagues 44:54 - Brent's baseball journey so far 48:04 - Minor league life challenges 49:20 - Positivity from your spouse 50:19 - Family dynamics in the clubhouse