ATLANTA, Georgia – On a memorable night at Truist Park, Philadelphia Phillies star Kyle Schwarber became the most talked-about name at the 2025 MLB All-Star Game. Not because of his nine-inning shutout, but because of his spectacular performance in the first-ever swing-off tiebreaker in All-Star history, which gave the National League a dramatic victory and earned him the prestigious Chevrolet All-Star MVP award.
The game between the American League and the National League was a tight affair, ending in a 6-6 tie after nine innings. Instead of extending the game with extra innings as before, MLB applied a completely new format – the “swing-off” – to determine the winner. Each team picked three players, each with three swings, to hit as many home runs as possible.
After Kyle Stowers hit a home run for the American League, the pressure was on Kyle Schwarber, who was selected as the National League’s second baseman. However, Schwarber showed his cool, hitting three consecutive home runs, bringing his total to four and helping the NL win the game 7–6.
Remarkably, Schwarber had no hits in the first nine innings – something that had never happened before for an All-Star MVP. But in just three swings, he rewrote the entire game and went straight into league history.
“One good BP wins you a trophy these days,” Schwarber jokingly shared in the locker room, holding the glass MVP bat.
First since 1964: Schwarber is the first Phillies player since Johnny Callison (1964) to win the All-Star MVP.
History calls: He became the first player in history to win the All-Star MVP title thanks to the swing-off – a new format that was only recently implemented.
The only person since Alfonso Soriano to win both the Futures Game MVP and the All-Star MVP in his career.
Dodgers coach Dino Ebel, who leads the NL team, shared:
“I asked Schwarber what he wanted. He just said, ‘Give me the middle ball.’ And he did it, without fail.”
Meanwhile, American League coach Aaron Boone admitted:
“Schwarber did exactly what was expected of him. He was a monster in the decisive moments.”
The swing-off format, which had been controversial before the tournament, became an unprecedented attraction. Fans not only witnessed a tense ending but also enjoyed a classic solo show – something the All-Stars always aim for.
Schwarber is a power hitter with a powerful swing and good emotional control – extremely important factors in a “hit and die” format like swing-off.
His choice as the second baseman was also a strategic move, putting pressure on the AL team and helping create psychological distance right after the first inning.
Kyle Schwarber has proven that MVPs do not always come from a series of achievements, but sometimes, just three swings at the right time are enough to make history. In a new All-Star Game, Schwarber is the perfect representative of the spirit of MLB 2025 – brave, explosive and always knowing how to sublimate at the fateful moment.