The 2025 MLB All-Star Game saw some historic firsts last night in Atlanta. Long after the first-ever ABS challenge in the first inning at Truist Park, Kyle Schwarber helped deliver the victory for the National League side in the first-ever All-Star Game swing-off, per MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince.
It was ironic that it was the Philadelphia Phillies slugger who went 3-for-3 on his swings in the Home Run Derby-like contest following a 6-6 tie game after nine innings. Hours earlier, Schwarber (along with New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso) received by far the loudest boos from the home crowd of Braves fans.
No knock on the fans here, though. It's to be expected, with the Phillies, Mets and Braves all having ongoing intense rivalries with one another in the National League East (Braves All-Stars can likely expect the same treatment in Philly next year). But after Schwarber played hero and took home the All-Star Game MVP for his efforts, per MLB's Mark Feinsand, the reaction from Braves fans on social media is what Phillies fans will take exception to.
#AllStarGame Swing-off
— MLB (@MLB) July 16, 2025
AL - 3
NL - 4
Kyle Schwarber GIVES THE NL THE LEAD! pic.twitter.com/NPZJciVTYn
Phillies fans won't like what Braves fans are thinking after Kyle Schwarber's epic All-Star Game swing-off
The tone from "Braves Country" toward Schwarber changed mightily late on Tuesday night. The pending free agent designated hitter was all of a sudden a Braves fan favorite. At least in so much as the calls began for their team, whose season was over before it even started, to sign the 32-year-old away from Philadelphia in the offseason.
"Why’re y’all upset there isn’t a Brave participating in the derby?" X user Leslie Mines (@LeslieMinesIII) asked. "Kyle Schwarber is a Braves this winter."
Why’re y’all upset there isn’t a Brave participating in the derby?
— Leslie Mines (@LeslieMinesIII) July 16, 2025
Kyle Schwarber is a Braves this winter.
That's bold. Obviously it's well-known that the Braves' current designated hitter Marcell Ozuna is struggling through a disappointing year after an All-Star 2024 season. Ozuna is also slated to become a free agent at season's end, and Braves fans are more than ready to move on to Schwarber it seems.
Schwarber giving a preview of where he’ll be hitting HRs next season?👀
— Braves Moves and Rumors (@Braves_Rumors) July 16, 2025
Schwarber has hit 15 home runs against the Braves in his career, six coming at Truist Park (all while with the Phillies), so Atlanta fans are used to seeing him terrorize them wearing Phillies red. But after Tuesday's display, now they want to see him hitting more home runs at Truist, just for their team.
"i think i’ve decided that kyle schwarber will be a brave this offseason. could watch him hit balls into the chop house for a few years," X user Ryan Foster (@ryan05foster) said.
i think i’ve decided that kyle schwarber will be a brave this offseason. could watch him hit balls into the chop house for a few years.
— Ryan Foster (@ryan05foster) July 16, 2025
Hopefully, Schwarber will be hitting balls into the Chop House for a few more years, but doing it while helping the Phillies extend this current window with the veteran core they've assembled.
There are surely plenty of like-minded Braves fans who wouldn't mind seeing a hated rival lose its top slugger and move to Atlanta. But you can also be sure that Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski and his front office will be doing everything in their power to keep Schwarber at home in Philly to avoid him heading over to the dark side.