Kyle Schwarber has seen plenty of big stages — from blasting home runs for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic to facing off in Game 7 of the World Series. But Tuesday night threw him into uncharted territory: a dramatic All-Star Game swing-off — baseball’s version of a shootout. And boy, did he deliver.
Schwarber smashed three straight homers, going down to one knee on the last one, to erase a two-homer deficit and seal an epic 4-3 swing-off victory for the National League. The crowd at Truist Field roared as Jonathan Aranda of the American League failed to match Schwarber's power, leaving the NL with a 7-6 win after a wild 6-6 tie in regulation.
“This was like the baseball version of a penalty shootout,” Schwarber said, beaming. “And it was electric.”
This swing-off twist was added in 2022 by MLB and the Players Association, mainly because All-Star pitchers rarely throw more than an inning now. Instead of exhausting bullpens, they created a thrilling showdown where three batters from each league take three swings each off their own coaches — and the best power display wins.
AL Manager Aaron Boone of the Yankees picked Brent Rooker, Randy Arozarena, and Jonathan Aranda. On the NL side, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts chose Eugenio Suárez, Schwarber, and Pete Alonso. But when Suárez took a fastball to the hand in the eighth, in stepped Kyle Stowers as the NL's backup slugger.
Both dugouts were buzzing — some players already in street clothes — as teammates lined the railings, yelling and celebrating every long ball.
Brent Rooker gave the AL an early swing-off edge, going deep on his final two hacks. Stowers answered with one of his own. Then came Arozarena, who launched one, pushing the AL ahead 3-1.
But it was Schwarber time.
Before stepping in, he shared a quick exchange with Dodgers coach Dino Ebel, his BP pitcher from the WBC.
“He just asked, ‘Where do you want it?’” Schwarber recalled. “I told him, ‘Right down the middle.’ And he said, ‘I gotcha.’”
He took a couple pitches to get the feel, then crushed one just over center field. On his next swing, he absolutely unloaded a 461-foot blast over the right-center bullpen. Then, on his final shot — dropping to one knee in classic Schwarber style — he lifted a moonshot that landed in the Chop House seats.
“I didn’t catch it perfect,” Schwarber admitted. “But I was down there just praying — ‘Go, go, go!’ — and when it did? Man, that was awesome.”
Aranda stepped in with the pressure on, but couldn’t deliver. His first was a routine fly to center, the second missed a homer by mere inches, and the third was a harmless pop-up to left.
With the win secured, Alonso — the two-time Home Run Derby champ — didn’t even need to swing. He jogged over and gave Schwarber a playful pat on the head as fireworks exploded overhead.
“I felt like a closer ready to come in,” Alonso joked. “Then it’s like your defense turns a double play, and suddenly, you don’t need to pitch.”
Officially, MLB (after consulting with the Elias Sports Bureau) lists All-Star Games decided by a swing-off as a tie, with a swing-off notation. But the NL is claiming this one — and rightfully so — as a 7-6 triumph.
Earlier in the night, Ketel Marte put the NL on the board with a two-run double in the first. Then Alonso crushed a three-run bomb off Kris Bubic, and Corbin Carroll followed up with a solo shot against Casey Mize, stretching the lead to 6-0 in the sixth.
But the American League stormed back. Rooker smashed a three-run homer in the seventh, and Bobby Witt Jr. chipped in with an RBI groundout. Then in the ninth, things got tense: Byron Buxton and Witt hit back-to-back doubles, and Steven Kwan tied the game with a well-placed infield hit.
Still, it was Kyle Schwarber who stole the show — and the MVP trophy — despite officially going 0-for-2 with a walk. Remarkably, he became the first position player to win All-Star MVP without recording a hit in regulation.
This wasn't just an exhibition game — it was a showcase of swagger, spectacle, and raw slugging power. And Schwarber stood tallest under the brightest lights.
Description:
"Kyle Schwarber delivered a jaw-dropping performance in the first-ever MLB All-Star swing-off, homering on all three swings to seal a dramatic 7-6 win for the National League. Here's how history was made."