Time for drumrolls…the National League stacked the winning odds in their favor in the first-ever swing-off in the MLB All-Star game. Despite blowing a six-run lead, the National League defeated the American League 4-3 on a home run swing-off as the game was tied 6-6. Interestingly enough, no All-Star game or MLB game ever had this kind of ending. An end so bizarre that it was never heard of.

However, it all came true at Truist Park on Tuesday. Managers from both the teams sent three players to the plate with three swings each, creating a mini-Home Run Derby as the ultimate decision maker.

Take a look at how it played out:

National League (4 home runs total):
• Kyle Stowers (Marlins): 1 HR
• Kyle Schwarber (Phillies): 3 HRs
• Pete Alonso (Mets): Did not swing

American League (3 home runs total):
• Brent Rooker (A’s): 2 HRs
• Randy Arozarena (Mariners): 1 HR
• Jonathan Aranda (Rays): 0 HRs

For the NL, who won by 4-3, it all came down to Kyle Schwarber, who hit a home run on all three swings. That very performance earned him the name of the greatest hitter who ever lived—Ted Williams. Sharing his take on the new format, Schwarber said, “It was awesome. The guys were really into it. They were yelling, screaming, cheering me on every swing. When that last one goes over, they were all pumped. It was a lot of fun.”

Across the All-Star game history, whenever the game was tied after nine innings, it led to extra innings, unlike this time. The swing-off way of settling the game is now earning praises from every corner.

Fans Embrace MLB’s Swing-Off Debut

The debut of MLB’s Swing Off at the 2025 All-Star Game was indeed a success. Because, now, fans don’t ever want to go back to the extra innings rule.

As soon as it was announced, it sent a jolt through the baseball world, and fans had plenty to say. An X user noted, “@MLB…please make this All-Star Game tiebreaker a thing for the regular season! I’d much rather have a swing-off than do the ghost runner rule in extras. Then do what hockey does in the playoffs and just play till there’s a winner for the postseason! #MLB #AllStarGame ” The current ‘ghost runner’ rule, aka the automatic runner rule, is no longer well received. Especially after the new swing-off format. In that rule, in the case of a game tying after nine innings, both teams have to start the extra inning with a runner already on second base. Now, instead of that rule, the fans want the league to fully embrace the new swing-off format.

Even the longtime baseball traditionalists found themselves loving this format. “I’m pretty much a baseball traditionalist in many ways. But the Home Run Swing Off was pretty entertaining. #ASG ” Not just the fans, but also the players enjoyed it just as much. “we had a blast watching it,” said Logan Webb on behalf of all the players around the league who watched the historic swing-off format unfold.

Meanwhile, some believed the swing-off format can reduce the injury setbacks: “Honestly, to prevent more injuries in extra innings, just have a swing-off.”  This new format is definitely much more controlled and less injury-prone. After all, both hitters and pitchers are protected from getting fatigued.

Kyle Schwarber’s three-home-run blast had the fans raving, and clearly they are all in to see the Swing-Off format being implemented in regular games too: “The Swing Off is electric!! I’m all for it 🔥 #AllStarGame2025” 

Another fan similarly noted, “F— a runner on second. Give me a swing off after nine.” The extra-inning rule was heavily criticized. And preference for a tiebreaker like a home run derby after nine innings was highly touted!

What’s your stance—should this new format be implemented in regular games too?