2025 MLB All Star Game one of the best in recent memory. Hank Aaron tribute, Freddy Peralta tribute to Ueck, The Miz, and a Swing Off.

The MLB All Star Game last night was, in a word, ELECTRIC. Swings in momentum, huge names, we had the debut of the ABS review system, Hank Aaron tributes, The Miz, and it all culminated with a 9th inning rally by the AL leading to our first ever ‘swing off’ to determine the game’s winner. A Home Run Derby to break a tie??? YES YES YES! A few things in a particular order:

• MLB has been doing these ‘in game’ interviews with players for a few years now. One of the most disrespectful things I can remember in my sports viewing lifetime was when they did an in-game interview with Justin Turner during a Dodger/Brewer PLAYOFF game in 2020. For the most part they’re hit or miss (mostly miss). But as my wife pointed out last night, it entirely depends on the personality of the person on the mic, Clayton Kershaw was AWESOME last night:

• The Stand Up To Cancer moment is always moving, but as they were scanning the players last night, check out Freddy Peralta’s Bob Uecker tribute:

• I’m not crying, you’re crying.
• The Hank Aaron Tribute last night was AWESOME:

• We also saw the debut of the ABS ‘ball/strike’ review system last night, where batters/catchers/pitchers can challenge a ball or strike call. They used it in spring training as well, but it worked FLAWLESSLY last night. The reviews were quick, they got it right, everybody moved on. If you follow this blog or the podcast lately you know I’ve been SCREAMING for robot strike zones, and this ABS review is a step in the correct direction. Make it permanent.
• If you follow any of the Brewer beat reporters on Twitter, the rumor was that Le Miz was going to get the 7th inning last night. Imagine my surprise when they came back from commercial break for the 7th inning at it was San Diego Padre Adrian Morejon on the hill. Me:

• We actually got Trevor Megill for the final out of the 7th, then Miz came on for the 8th inning throwing absolute GAS. 102+ mph on 5 pitches, the fastest 5 pitches of the night. He didn’t register a strikeout, but he did throw a zero up on the scoreboard. Which is mighty impressive considering his age, experience, and how nervous he must have been given how much air was given to the, ‘does he deserve to be here,’ conversation all week.

Now, the swing off. INCREDIBLE theater. Perfect way to end a game like that when you’re tied at the end of 9. The only kink they may need to iron out: Most of the biggest names on each roster were already on planes home by the time we got to the Derby. Don’t get me wrong, it was still amazing, but imagine if you had Aaron Jude, Ohtani, etc. involved.

Of course because it was so entertaining, you had a lot of people on Twitter talking about how they need to decide tie games with a swing-off all of the time. Regular season, etc. I’m not sure I’m on board with that, but it is an absolutely perfect way to end an All Star game.

All in all one of the best All Star games across any sport that I can remember in a long time.

PS: As soon as the AL tied the game in the 9th, this image popped into my brain instantly:

Imagine if they would have had a swing-off that year?? Steroid era Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds, A-Rod??? Sweet Fancy Moses.