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Philadelphia Phillies star Kyle Schwarber showed exactly why he belonged in the MLB All-Star Game. Schwarber didn’t just win the 2025 All-Star Game MVP. In addition, the All-Star designated hitter delivered one of the night’s most unforgettable moments. In a twist that had fans and players buzzing, the midsummer classic skipped extra innings. It ended with a dramatic home run swing-off. And no one embraced it quite like the Phillies slugger.
Schwarber smashed three homers in the new tiebreaker format to seal the win for the National League and spoke about the new format afterward, according to USA TODAY Sports' Bob Nightengale.
“I think it’s a good idea. Just for the fact we’re not putting more people at any other kind of risk. We’re not playing more innings, things like that.”
For Schwarber, the sudden-death format brought an energy reminiscent of other sports’ high-stakes finishes. “It makes you feel like it’s a penalty kick,” he added. “That was like the baseball version of a shootout or extra time.”
Meanwhile, after nine innings, the 2025 MLB All-Star Game ended in a 6-6 tie. As a result, the league introduced its latest experiment, a timed swing-off aimed at boosting excitement and easing player fatigue. With the spotlight squarely on him, Kyle Schwarber rose to the occasion with his trademark power he showcases for the Phillies. Then, in dramatic fashion, he launched his final blast while dropping to one knee. Ultimately, the towering shot sealed the win and instantly set social media ablaze.
A reporter asked Schwarber if he knew the ball was gone off the bat. He responded honestly, via The Athletic's Jayson Stark: “I didn’t hit it, obviously, my best. But I was thinking I got enough of it. I was just kind of down there, hoping, saying, ‘Go, go, go.’ And it went. And it was awesome.”
All in all, the moment was classic Schwarber: gritty, powerful, and clutch. And as baseball continues to look for new ways to modernize the game without losing its soul, the swing-off may have found a new ambassador.
Now, with the second half of the MLB season looming, Kyle Schwarber heads back to Philly not just as an All-Star MVP, but as the face of one of the league’s boldest new ideas.
