Pete Alonso Misses Out on MLB History Because of Kyle Schwarber

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Hugh Green | Last updated Jul 16, 2025 1:20 AM ET

The MLB All-Star game is always a spectacle. The Midsummer Classic has long been a favorite among baseball fans around the country. However, the 2025 edition of the game on Tuesday made history, and a former Florida Gators slugger was a part of it.

New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso, who made his fifth All-Star Game appearance of his seven-year career on Tuesday, was poised to play a big role in what was the first-ever "swing-off" that decided who won the game.

After the National League and American League were tied at 6-6 after nine innings, three players from each team were selected to compete in a home run derby tiebreaker in lieu of extra innings. Alonso was the final of six total batters to swing but didn't get the chance, as Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Kyle Schwarber helped the NL win the tiebreaker 4-3.

With each of the six batters getting three swings each, Schwarber came up second for the NL with his team down 3-1. Philadelphia's slugger mashed all three of his swings for home runs, giving the NL the lead. This phenomenal performance earned Schwarber All-Star Game MVP honors.

The third and final batter for the AL, who went after Schwarber and was scheduled before Alonso, was Tampa Bay Rays infielder Jonathan Aranda. He wasn't able to hit one over the wall in his three swings, ending the tiebreaker before Alonso got the chance to walk it off.

Before the game went to a swing-off, Alonso helped the NL get out to a six-run advantage. In the sixth inning, "Polar Bear Pete," as he is affectionately called, blasted an opposite-field three-run homer that put the NL up 5-0 at the time.

Pete Alonso delivers a 3-run home run! #AllStarGame pic.twitter.com/aNawz1goYp
— MLB (@MLB) July 16, 2025

After Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder Corbin Carroll hit a solo shot later in the inning, the AL came storming back with six unanswered runs to force the first-ever swing-off in MLB All-Star Game history.

While Alonso didn't get the opportunity to steal the spotlight at the end, he and Schwarber were a part of something that has never been seen and will likely not be topped anytime soon.

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

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