Kyle Schwarber Crowned MVP in MLB All-Star Game’s First-Ever Home Run Swing-Off

By Oliver Wiener July 17, 2025 09:12

The 2025 MLB All-Star Game in Atlanta produced a historic and electric finale as Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber was crowned Most Valuable Player after an unprecedented Home Run Swing-Off. The National League and American League ended regulation tied 6-6, sending the game into a mini derby-style showdown MLB’s first-ever swing-off that electrified fans and highlighted Schwarber’s power and clutch ability.

Schwarber made the most of his opportunity, launching an astounding three home runs on three swings during the swing-off portion, singlehandedly propelling the National League to a 4-3 victory in that tiebreaker and sealing a 7-6 overall win. His flawless swing-off performance was not only a dramatic conclusion but also a defining career moment, earning him his first All-Star Game MVP award.

Known for his prodigious power, Schwarber entered the game riding a superb season. He ranks third in the National League with 30 home runs before the break a feat marking his fifth consecutive year with at least 30 homers. Since joining the Phillies in 2022, Schwarber has hit an impressive 161 home runs, trailing only Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani in that span among National League sluggers. His season slash line of .247/.378/.545 with 69 RBI underscores his blend of power and ability to get on base, making him an offensive cornerstone for Philadelphia’s 55-41 team atop the NL East.

“This moment was special,” Schwarber said after the game. “To come through in the swing-off with that kind of pressure, it felt amazing. I wanted to help the National League win, and to get MVP is just the icing on the cake.”

The swing-off was introduced recently by MLB to replace extra innings in the All-Star Game, addressing growing concerns about prolonged games depleting pitcher availability. Each league selected three batters for three pitches apiece, creating a dramatic, Hunt-for-Home-Runs feel akin to a mini derby inside the classic stars and stripes showcase. Schwarber was sandwiched between Miami Marlins’ Kyle Stowers and New York Mets’ Pete Alonso, and while Stowers hit one homer and Alonso was unable to surpass Schwarber’s barrage, Schwarber’s three-for-three display was unmatched.

His 2025 All-Star berth marked Schwarber’s third career selection, with previous appearances in 2021 (with Washington) and 2022 (with Philadelphia), along with stints in the Home Run Derby in 2018 and 2022. His clutch night echoes another rare feat: becoming just the second player, after Alfonso Soriano, to win both a Futures Game MVP and an All-Star Game MVP, highlighting Schwarber’s ability to shine on baseball’s biggest stages.

The Phillies, striving for a postseason run, see Schwarber as integral to their success moving forward. As Schwarber’s bat is already on its way to Cooperstown in the form of memorable milestones, his All-Star swing-off heroics at Truist Park have become part of that storied legacy. Philadelphia legend Johnny Callison was the only other Phillies player to previously earn All-Star Game MVP honors (1964), placing Schwarber in elite franchise company.

The historic 2025 All-Star Game ending was a showcase of innovation, power, and drama a night where Kyle Schwarber’s magic bat literally changed the course of the game and etched his name into All-Star lore. As MLB continues experimenting with fan-friendly formats, fans and analysts alike agree: when the stakes are high and the spotlight intense, you want the bat in Schwarber’s hands.