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Many players left the MLB All-Star Game before it ended

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated Jul 16, 2025 12:51 AM ET

The MLB All-Star Game ended in thrilling fashion at Truist Park in Atlanta, Ga., on Tuesday night, and many of the players involved in the game weren’t even around to see the finish.

The National League prevailed over the American League in a swing-off. The game was tied at six after nine innings, so according to a new rule introduced in 2022, the game went to a swing-off. Each league chose three players, who would then each receive three pitches. The league with the most total home runs would then be given the game.

National League manager Dave Roberts chose Kyle Stowers, Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso to participate. American League manager Aaron Boone countered with Brent Rooker, Randy Arozarena and Jonathan Aranda.

Guys like Stowers and Aranda aren’t exactly the most accomplished home run hitters in MLB, so their inclusion may have left some people wondering about the roster. ESPN’s Jesse Rogers reported on Tuesday that many of the players — especially ones who had started the game — had left prior to the game’s finish.

For people wondering, many players have left already including a lot of the starters. Left as in on a plane home.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) July 16, 2025

Boone and Roberts didn’t choose their swing-off rosters based on who was still around, but they may have avoided starters to allow those players to leave early. The managers chose their participants prior to the game. So if many of the starters knew they wouldn’t be involved in the swing-off, then they had the freedom to head home.

Pete Alonso clubbed a 3-run home run during the actual game, and he was all prepared to hit for the NL as the anchor in the swing-off. Instead, Kyle Schwarber went 3-for-3 on his pitches, giving the NL a 4-3 lead. Aranda went 0-for-3 for the AL, which meant Alonso didn’t even have to bat.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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