The 2025 MLB All-Star Game was tied 6-6 by the end of the ninth inning. Instead of extra innings, fans got some heroics from Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber.
Decided by baseball’s first All-Star swing-off, the National League beat the American League to notch its second ASG win in three years. It’s only the league’s fifth win in 28 years.
Advertisement
For the swing-off, each team sent three players to the plate with three swings each, creating a mini-Home Run Derby to decide the game. The AL fielded a trio of Athletics designated hitter Brent Rooker, Seattle Mariners outfielder Randy Arozarena and Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Jonathan Aranda, while Miami Marlins outfielder Kyle Stowers, Schwarber and New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso were the guys for the NL.
Rooker put the AL in the lead early with two long balls to one from Stowers, but then Schwarber delivered an absolutely clutch 3-for-3 performance to put the NL ahead going into the final round.
Aranda went 0-for-3 to leave Alonso, who forewent the Home Run Derby for the first time in his career this year, hanging and give the senior circuit the win 4-3 and 7-6 as the overall final score.
Naturally, Schwarber was named All-Star Game MVP.
Advertisement
For fans wondering why Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani and other superstars weren’t involved, swing-off participants are decided before the game, depending on which players volunteer. Players also often leave the All-Star Game early to get a head start on a mini-vacation ahead of the second half of the season, hence the leaving early.
The AL erased a 6-0 lead to force the swing-off
The National League should’ve had the game won during regulation. It jumped to a 6-0 lead in the sixth inning, powered by homers from Alonso and Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll.
Alonso delivered the biggest hit of the night, prior to the swing-off, with a three-run homer off Kansas City Royals pitcher Kris Bubic.
The AL didn’t go quietly, though. After Carroll’s homer made it 6-0 in the sixth inning, the AL made it a game again with a seventh-inning rally.
Advertisement
Rooker, who was eliminated from the Home Run Derby on Tuesday by a literal inch, added another dinger to his total for the week with a three-run shot.
Some nice baserunning from Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia added another run in the same frame.
The NL entered the bottom of the ninth inning with San Diego Padres closer Robert Suarez and New York Mets closer Edwin Díaz in reserve and a two-run lead. It didn’t go well. The AL got to Suarez quickly and moved to within a run on an RBI double from Kansas City Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. Then Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan scored him on an infield single against Díaz, giving him a blown save and forcing the swing-off.
Jacob Misiorowski makes his controversial All-Star debut
No player entered the All-Star Game with more discourse surrounding him than Jacob Misiorowski. The Milwaukee Brewers rookie was an 11th-hour addition to the festivities despite having made only five starts in his career, by far the fewest games played of any All-Star in history.
Advertisement
MLB put Misiorowski in over more deserving players because of his electric arsenal, led by a fastball that sat in triple digits Tuesday. Per Statcast, Misiorowski didn’t throw a fastball slower than 99.2 mph and at one point unleashed a 98.1 mph slider in a scoreless eighth inning.
AL hitters hit a couple of deep fly balls off him that managed to stay in the park, but Misiorowski at least provided a reason to keep watching an exhibition game until the ninth-inning drama and swing-off heroics.
No pitcher had more fun than Clayton Kershaw
On the other end of the velocity spectrum was Clayton Kershaw, who topped out at 89 mph but still got his two batters out in the second inning.
Advertisement
The more fun part was the Los Angeles Dodgers star being mic’d up on the Fox broadcast for the entire appearance. Kershaw, usually the picture of intensity on the mound, showed off some personality between pitches with self-deprecation (“That was right down the middle — I’m so glad he didn’t swing”) and nearly cursing out color commentator John Smoltz for thinking he throws a cutter.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts pulled Kershaw early, which proved to be its own nice moment as he walked to the dugout.
As he received high-fives and back pats, the microphone caught him yelling, “Suck it Big Dumper!” as a razz toward his first out, Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh.
Advertisement
The All-Star Game gets its first 5 challenges
The automatic ball-strike challenge has been slowly making its way into MLB. It started as a test in the minor leagues, then made its debut in spring training this year, with an overall positive reception.
MLB opted to give the challenge system some more exposure in the All-Star Game, with five players challenging a call from the ump. Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal got it right on the first challenge, which caused San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado to strike out.
MLB blows everyone away with Hank Aaron tribute
On July 15, MLB and the Braves paid tribute to Hank Aaron’s 715th home run with an incredible light show after the sixth inning. With projections on the field and one of the coolest fireworks ever, it was worth watching.
Advertisement
In attendance was Aaron’s 88-year-old widow, Billye Aaron, who provided the photo of the night.
Here’s how the entire 2025 MLB All-Star Game went down via Yahoo Sports: