​Willson Contreras Embraces ‘Villain’ Role at Home Run Derby: ‘I Like When I Get Booed’ originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Willson Contreras put on a show in front of a hostile Philadelphia crowd at Citizens Bank Park on Monday night.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Red Sox star got mercilessly booed at the 2026 Home Run Derby, but he wasn’t alone. That happened to all of the batters who didn’t represent the Phillies, as the fans in attendance were clearly hoping to see either Bryce Harper or Kyle Schwarber win the event.”They’ve been booing me for 10 years, so I had fun with it,” Contreras said (via MLB.com). “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.”In Round 1 of the Home Run Derby, Contreras demolished 13 home runs, sending one pitch nearly 500 feet.Things kicked up a notch when he faced Schwarber, his former teammate with the Cubs, in Round 2. The crowd booed Contreras at every opportunity, only cheering when he failed to hit a home run. Fans also enjoyed watching Red Sox interim bench coach Jose David Flores nearly hit Contreras with a pitch.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementUltimately, Contreras’ dream of capturing the trophy ended with a 9-8 loss to Schwarber. Contreras finished the evening with 21 total home runs across two rounds.”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.”Known for wearing his heart on his sleeve, Contreras has learned to embrace the villain role.”Not many people are going to like [the villain]. But at the end of the day, it’s a mind game,” Contreras said. “They know that. We all know that.”AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLatest Red Sox news2026 Red Sox schedule2026 Red Sox rosterComplete history of Red Sox championships