Philadelphia Phillies star Kyle Schwarber did not record a hit during the 2025 MLB All-Star game Tuesday night in Atlanta, but he still was the hero of the game.
Schwarber was the star of the show in the first ever MLB All-Star game swing-off. With the game tied 6-6 after 9 innings, three players from the National League and three players from the American League competed in a swing off.
Each player had three swings to hit as many home runs as possible. Whichever team had the most home runs after the nine total swings would win the game.
Phillies star Kyle Schwarber homered in all three of his swing-off attempts, lifting the NL to a 4-3 win over the AL in the extra-innings contest. The NL was down 3-1 in homers when Schwarber stepped to the plate, before he hit all three of his swings over the fence.
The 32-year-old was 0-for-2 with a walk during the game, but he still earned the MVP award for the all-star game, becoming the first position player to ever be named the MVP of the all-star game without recording a hit.
“Interesting. A little nervous,” Schwarber said afterwards when asked what the swing-off was like. “I think the first swing was the big one. I was really just trying to hit a line drive versus trying to hit the home run. Usually that tends to work out.”
Pete Alonso, who was 1-for-2 during the game with a home run and 3 RBIs, was selected to compete in the swing off but was not needed as the NL led 4-3 without Alonso needing to hit.
Schwarber doesn’t necessarily believe he deserved the MVP award, but he is thankful to have won it, as well as the game.
“A lot of guys who are way more deserving of this award,” he said. “But just happy to get a win with the National League and that it’s going to be coming home with us to Philly.”