ATLANTA – The MLB All-Star Sport made its long-awaited return to Atlanta on Tuesday night time, with tens of hundreds of followers packing Truist Park and The Battery in a celebration that was equal elements baseball, nostalgia, and group.
That is the third time Atlanta has hosted the Midsummer Basic, and the primary at Truist Park. Town beforehand welcomed the occasion in 1972 and 2000—each instances that includes dwelling runs by Braves legends Hank Aaron and Chipper Jones, respectively.
What they’re saying:
The 2021 All-Star Sport was initially scheduled to happen in Atlanta however was relocated by Main League Baseball over controversy surrounding modifications to Georgia’s voting legal guidelines.
For a lot of in attendance on Tuesday, the 2025 occasion represented greater than only a recreation.
“All-Star Sport Atlanta 2025. Greatest time of my life. Simply—go Braves,” mentioned one fan beaming with pleasure. “That is completely electrical.”
“That is 10 instances higher than another All-Star Sport I’ve ever been to,” one other fan added. “That is my bucket checklist. I’ll be 62 in two weeks and I’ve been wanting to do that my complete life.”
The thrill prolonged past the ballpark. Followers in The Battery loved video games, music, and actions whereas watching the motion on huge screens. The festive ambiance turned the encompassing space right into a citywide celebration.
“I really like baseball. I really like the Braves, and it’s been superb for the Atlanta Braves, child,” mentioned one other fan, holding a slice of pizza whereas waving to cameras.
The group was particularly sentimental about seeing former Braves Freddie Freeman and Max Fried return to Atlanta. Each now play for different groups however acquired heat receptions from followers who as soon as cheered them on as hometown heroes.
A number of followers famous how the general All-Star Week fan expertise made for significant recollections.
“It’s my first All-Star Sport,” one attendee mentioned. “It’s a surreal alternative to be right here at this time. One factor we will all the time assure anyone that comes right here is an effective time within the A.”
The sport itself noticed the Nationwide League main 5-0 within the backside of the sixth inning, highlighted by a three-run homer from the Mets’ Pete Alonso. The American League has gained 10 of the final 11 All-Star Video games, however Tuesday’s early scoring shift signaled a attainable change.
Braves representing Atlanta in All-Star recreation
Native perspective:
Atlanta was additionally represented on the sphere by a number of Braves gamers. Outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. began for the Nationwide League, whereas first baseman Matt Olson was chosen as a reserve. Pitcher Chris Sale was named to the roster however didn’t play as a result of harm.
Baseball Corridor of Famer John Smoltz, an eight-time All-Star and former Braves ace, expressed appreciation that gamers had been as soon as once more carrying their workforce uniforms for the sport.
“We’re going again to the jerseys of the workforce that you just put on,” Smoltz mentioned. “Thanks. It’s about time.”
With a mix of high-level competitors, fanfare, and historical past, Atlanta’s 2025 All-Star Sport proved to be greater than only a sporting occasion—it was a second that united Braves Nation and baseball followers from throughout the nation.
Who gained the MLB All-Star Sport?
What we all know:
Kyle Schwarber delivered a flawless efficiency within the first-ever MLB All-Star Sport swing-off, going 3 for 3 to raise the Nationwide League to a 4-3 win over the American League after the groups performed to a 6-6 tie Tuesday night time at Truist Park.
The sport, tied after 9 innings, was determined underneath a 2022 rule change introducing a house run swing-off — baseball’s reply to soccer’s penalty shootout — to keep away from depleting pitching staffs. Every league chosen three batters to take three swings off coaches.
Schwarber, who had gone 0 for two with a stroll throughout regulation play, blasted all three of his swings out of the park, together with a dramatic remaining shot into the Chop Home seats in proper area whereas taking place to 1 knee. The efficiency earned him All-Star Sport MVP honors.
Ronald Acuna #13 and Matt Olson #28 of the Atlanta Braves embrace through the House Run Derby at Truist Park on July 14, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photograph by Jamie Squire/Getty Photographs)
The AL had seized the lead early within the swing-off, with Brent Rooker homering on his remaining two swings and Kyle Stowers — filling in for Eugenio Suárez — including one other. Randy Arozarena adopted with a blast that pushed the AL result in 3-1.
However the tide turned after Schwarber’s excellent spherical. Jonathan Aranda got here up empty for the AL, hitting the right-field wall on his second try however failing to clear it on any swing. That made the ultimate NL batter, two-time House Run Derby champion Pete Alonso, pointless.
The victory marks simply the second win for the NL within the final 12 All-Star Video games. Regardless of the loss, the American League nonetheless leads the all-time sequence 48-45, with two ties.
The Supply: FOX 5’s Alex Liacko reported from Truist Park. Main League Baseball and the Atlanta Braves offered particulars for this text. The Related Press and FOX Sports activities contributed to this report.
