'I like when I get booed': With Bowser bat, Contreras embraces villain status at Derby

PHILADELPHIA – Willson Contreras was the party starter at Monday’s T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park.

Using a bat design based on the famed antagonist Bowser from the Super Mario franchise, Contreras gave the upper deck in left field a workout with a plethora of moonshots, topping out with a 490-foot bullet that looked like it was headed for the Liberty Bell.

The leadoff hitter of the eight participants, Contreras turned introductory boos into cheers from the Philly faithful when he roped homers on seven of his first 10 swings, and 13 overall in the first round, which tied eventual champion Jordan Walker for the lead.

In the semifinal round, pitted against former World Series-winning teammate Kyle Schwarber (2016 Cubs), Contreras fell just short, losing 9-8.

“I’m happy with the job I did,” Contreras said. “A little bit short, but the experience that I had here was the best, and I feel like a winner.”

What was up with the Bowser bat?

“Bowser is because when I got traded [to the Red Sox], and started spending time with my teammates, they told me I looked like Bowser,” said Contreras. “I kind of like the Bowser thing. It’s good, it’s something different.”

Like Bowser, Contreras is also a bit of an antagonist – just ask his opponents. But he relishes that role.

And Contreras slid right back into that villain role as he faced Schwarber, who has been beloved by the Philadelphia faithful since coming to town in 2022.

“We’re good friends. I love Schwarber,” Contreras said. “I think he's one of the best teammates I‘ve ever had, and he did good. But he came out a little bit short, too.”

Perhaps no player in the game enjoys jeers on the road more than Contreras, particularly in the City of Brotherly Love.

“They've been booing me for 10 years, so I had fun with it,” said Contreras. “I like when I get booed. It inspired me a little bit. But like I said, it was a great experience. I would do it again. I want to.”

Each time a flyball by Contreras fell short, the Citizens Bank Park crowd roared with approval.

Before the Derby, Contreras spoke comfortably about the role he’s played for all three teams he’s been on in his career.

“I think any player should do whatever it takes to win a game,” Contreras said. “Not many people are going to like [the villain]. But at the end of the day, it’s a mind game. They know that. We all know that.”

On Monday, in a more relaxed environment, all that was on the first baseman’s mind was bashing home runs off of Red Sox interim bench coach José David Flores. The two men have known each other since 2013, when Contreras was a Cubs Minor Leaguer and Flores was the team’s infield coordinator.

Heading into the event, Flores said his goal was to throw “cookies” that landed squarely in the barrel of the Bowser-themed bat.

In his first-round eruption, Contreras topped out at an exit velocity of 115 mph (that was on the 490-foot blast) while averaging a projected distance of 449 feet on his 13 bombs.

“When I played in Chicago, I hit one 492 [feet],” said Contreras. “But on that one, I was trying to hit the scoreboard, which usually [feels] far away. But in the first round, it worked out.”

The right-handed hitting Contreras is having a breakout season at 34 years old, taking 20 homers (four short of a career high) into the All-Star break.

“That’s the guy who woke Boston up!” yelled former Major Leaguer Carlos Baerga as he walked on the outskirts of the media session Contreras was doing on Monday afternoon.

Helped by Contreras, easily his team’s MVP so far, the Red Sox have surged into the All-Star break on a 14-2 tear, including nine wins in a row.

Contreras has had a lot on his mind in recent weeks due to the earthquakes that ravaged his native Venezuela last month.

“I love them,” Contreras told a Netflix audience during the Derby. “They know my heart is with them. I know I’m here physically. I always think of them and I’m trying to represent them the best way I can. It’s really tough what we’ve been through, but you know what, Venezuela is going to be big again. I’m always trying to do my job and play for Venezuela.”