MLB All-Stars Jordan Walker and Munetaka Murakami Shine in Stylish Red Carpet Looks

So how does Jordan Walker feel about being the most hated man in Philadelphia right now? “It feels pretty good,” he said with a laugh, “better than I expected. I had a good time.”

Walker, the St. Louis Cardinals right fielder, broke hearts all over the City of Brotherly Love Monday night with his come-from-behind win over local hero Kyle Schwarber in the Home Run Derby. Walker hit six out-of-the-park shots in a row to eliminate Schwarber on his final swing and take home $1 million, more than his yearly salary.

The win was especially poignant for the 24-year-old since he was able to celebrate with his parents and his grandmother. “My dad and my mom, and especially my grandma, have been following my baseball career my whole life,” he said. “So them seeing that was special to me.”

This marks Walker’s first time at the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, and he’s a bit overwhelmed at the honor. “It’s been an exciting past two or three days to be sure,” he said. “Honestly, it hasn’t sunk in yet. After everything’s over, I’ll take some time to reflect on it.”

He can also reflect on his red carpet outfit: a double-breasted black jacquard printed Amiri suit with a slightly flared pant, Santoni shoes, a Zenith watch, a diamond chain from Zales and Ray-Ban sunglasses. Walker worked with stylist Kesha McLeod to select the look.

McLeod said she drew on her experience dressing basketball players when selecting looks for Walker, who is 6 feet 6 inches tall. She brought two Amiri suits for him to choose from along with pieces from Jacquemus, Etro and Gucci.

“It was my first time working with a stylist,” Walker said, adding that he enjoyed the experience. “It was easy for me, but I know it was a lot of work on her part. But she had everything lined up and there were some great selections. It was difficult to choose, but I definitely was set on the one I wanted and I feel like I look really good.”

When he’s not walking a red carpet, Walker generally opts for casual, oversize pieces such as jeans and graphic T-shirts with relaxed fits.

And although fashion wasn’t a big part of his life growing up, “as the years go on, I’ve learned a little bit more about the style I like.”

He believes MLB players are “a bit underrated” when it comes to fashion and he’s hopeful that the other guys in the league will continue to step up their style game. “We have dress codes on the road, and I feel a little bit better putting on something that I like and that is my style,” he said. “I’ve learned this year that dressing up a little bit is nice when I walk into the stadium.”

Walker was joined on the red carpet Tuesday afternoon by another All-Star game rookie, Munetaka Murakami, first baseman for the Chicago White Sox. Murakami worked with stylist Whitney Etoroma on his outfit: a Ralph Lauren Purple Label white dinner jacket that was paired with Double RL vintage jeans, a Balenciaga boot and vintage accessories on his shirt collar.

Murakami, who was a four-time All-Star in his native Japan and part of the Gold Medal-winning Japanese team in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics before moving to the States, said he was enjoying his time in Philadelphia. But he didn’t get a chance to see the Liberty Bell or Independence Hall. “I’m spending my time on the bed sleeping or at the stadium,” he said.

Like Walker, he participated in the Home Run Derby, and although he didn’t fare as well, he still hit nine dingers before exiting in the first round. “It was an exciting thing to be a part of,” he said. “It was a great experience.”

So was his red carpet strut. Etoroma said it was Murakami’s idea to wear jeans. “He wanted a cool Americana look,” she said. “He was really forward with that thinking so we decided to expand on it.”

The player said that, like many Japanese, he’s been a longtime fan of American fashion and he embraced the idea of working with a stylist to bring home his vision.

He admitted that he doesn’t know much about basketball players and NBA tunnel walks, and spends most of his time during the season in “uniforms and jerseys. But when we go on road trips, we get to dress up and think about fashion on the way there.”