When the news broke that Jacob Misiorowski was headed to the All-Star Game, it should have been a dream situation. The 23-year-old rookie had made just five MLB starts since his call-up; however, his triple-digit heat and 2.81 ERA had already put the star on the radar. Still, not all were celebrating. Inside the NL team, some murmurs began to float, specifically from the Phillies corner.
Some of Kyle Schwarber’s teammates questioned the selection, thinking other, more seasoned pitchers were snubbed. While that could have just been locker room talk, it did not take long before the message reached Misiorowski himself. The kicker? The two Phillies stars most thought deserved the position—Cristopher Sánchez and Ranger Suárez—had declined their invitations because of scheduled starts. So the criticism felt… off, and for Misiorowski, it was totally confusing. “You first see it and you kind of react that way,” the young star said, unsure why the team was seemingly targeting him.
Enter Kyle Schwarber. Fresh off the All-Star MVP performance, the slugger did not waste time doing damage control. The veteran went straight to Misiorowski and cleared the air. The Brewers’ star revealed Schwarber made it clear the statements were not personal, saying they were more related to the situation, not him. Such a small gesture went a long way. “It’s really cool to have a guy like [Schwarber] come up and chat with you and make you feel welcome,” Misiorowski added.
Schwarber also came forward about his conversation with the 23-year-old pitcher. He gave the kid a boost of confidence as well, saying, “Kid, if you keep doing what you’re doing, you’re going to be a perennial All-Star.” It was a mix of leadership and damage control—managing awkwardness with ease. For the team that wears its passion on its sleeve, Schwarber’s calm presence could have been exactly what the room needed.
However, Schwarber also hinted at the underlying tension. “Within our room, it was: What about some other [older] guys, if there was a different starting pitcher or maybe a reliever who’s able to get that tout in their cap, get a bonus, whatever it is,” he said. That was not just veteran frustration; it was a reminder that All-Star aspects carry monetary weight and career milestones. However, Schwarber’s handling of the situation turned what could have been a sour note into something far more constructive.
By the end of the weekend, Misiorowski was not just an unlikely All-Star—he was a welcome one. Because of Schwarber, the only heat Misiorowski had to worry about was the 102.4 mph heater coming out of his hand. Just when Schwarber managed the heat, the veteran brought the fire back with the bat, on the biggest stage, in the biggest moment.
Dave Roberts watches Kyle Schwarber become a one-man wrecking crew in historic MVP moment
For NL manager Dave Roberts, the plan was simple: trust the player who does not need much warm-up to make the loudest noise. Kyle Schwarber had not taken full batting practice going into the game. However, as Roberts watched him walk to the plate for the first-ever All-Star “swing-off,” the Dodgers manager knew the moment belonged to the Phillies slugger. He praised Schwarber’s performance by highlighting his ability to “use a big part of the field and hit it out, clutch up and hit three homers,” emphasizing that such a display truly “speaks to the hitter he is.“
Trailing 3-1, the Phillies slugger stepped into the box with just three swings to turn the tide. His first blast was a 428-foot rocket to the straightaway center field. The second was louder with 461 feet at 109 mph to right-center. Then came the third, which was a 382-foot shot that just snuck fair down the line. This was the difference. The NL walked it off, 4-3, and he walked away with the Ted Williams All-Star Game MVP Award. Roberts was not alone in praise. Even AL manager Aaron Boone tipped his cap: “That’s Schwarbs. I’m not shocked. He did Schwarber-type things.”
MLB, Baseball Herren, USA All Star-American League at National League Jul 15, 2025 Cumberland, Georgia, USA National League designated hitter Kyle Schwarber 12 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts in the home run swing off tiebreaker during the 2025 MLB All Star Game at Truist Park. Cumberland Truist Park Georgia USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xBrettxDavisx 20250715_lbm_ad1_217
This was not just a hot night for Schwarber—it was history. He became the first designated hitter ever to win All-Star MVP honors and only the second Phillie to do so. He joined Johnny Callison (1964), and while the veteran was quick to deflect the praise, “There’s a lot of guys who are way more deserving of this award,” everyone watching knew better.
Pete Alonso expressed his excitement each time Schwarber launched a ball over the fence, thinking, “Hell yeah, Schwarbs!” with every home run. Kyle Stowers echoed the sentiment, saying Schwarber already earned a reputation as a legend and that performances like this only enhance his legacy.
From defusing tension in the team to detonating baseballs in the swing-off, Schwarber’s All-Star moment was nothing short of iconic. Schwarber did not just earn the MVP—the star owned the moment, on and off the field. However, beyond the home runs, it was Schwarber’s leadership that quietly stole the show.
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