logo
2025 MLB All-Star Game on FOX Posts 7.2 Million In Viewership

2025 MLB All-Star Game on FOX Posts 7.2 Million In Viewership

Fox Sportsa day ago
An epic finish featuring the first ever home-run swing-off. A memorable tribute to one of baseball's greatest legends. The 95th MLB All-Star Game in Atlanta proved to be an instant classic.
Tuesday's telecast also drew in 7.2 million viewers, making it the most-watched All-Star event, FOX Sports announced on Wednesday. That figure was also the most viewers for a FOX telecast since Super Bowl Sunday. Viewership for the Midsummer Classic peaked at 8.1 million between 9:15-9:30 p.m. ET.
The National League defeated the American League for only the second time since 2013. After finishing 6-6 after nine innings at Truist Park, the game went to a swing-off for the first time in All-Star Game history. Philadelphia Phillies DH Kyle Schwarber earned MVP honors after he smashed three homers in the swing-off that helped the NL grab the win.
As hosts, the Atlanta Braves also honored one of the greatest players of all time, Henry Aaron, with a touching tribute during the sixth inning that recreated his record-breaking 715th home run from 1974.
The game had plenty of top moments beforehand as well. The NL took a six-run lead into the sixth inning thanks to home runs by Mets first baseman Pete Alonso and Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll. But the AL responded with a three-run homer by Athletics DH Brent Rooker. Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. then got the AL back within one run heading into the bottom of the ninth with a two-run hit.
Witt then scored after Guardians' Steven Kwan beat out a ground-ball for an infield hit to tie it up and send the game to the home run swing off. Schwarber then secured the victory for the NL in the swing-off with a 4-3 tally, capping off an incredible night in Atlanta.
The 2026 All-Star Game will be hosted by the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.
Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
recommended
Item 1 of 3 Get more from the Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more in this topic
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Ex-FIU standout J.C. Escarra getting set for August 1-3 homecoming against Marlins
Ex-FIU standout J.C. Escarra getting set for August 1-3 homecoming against Marlins

Miami Herald

time20 minutes ago

  • Miami Herald

Ex-FIU standout J.C. Escarra getting set for August 1-3 homecoming against Marlins

Baby, what a time to be alive. Juan Carlos Escarra III was born a couple of weeks ago in the middle of the greatest year of his father's life. That baby's father – known as J.C. Escarra – played at Mater Academy and then FIU before wandering around baseball's minor leagues for eight years. After getting released by the Baltimore Orioles in April of 2022, Escarra played for the Gastonia Honey Hunters in independent baseball, the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League and Ponce in Puerto Rican winter ball, among others. Finally, this year, on March 29, Escarra made his major-league debut as a pinch-hitter and a backup catcher for perhaps the most famous team in all of American sports, the New York Yankees. 'I can talk a lot more about what the major leagues are,' Escarra, 30, told The Herald during this week's All-Star break. 'It's steak and shrimp. It's five-star hotels. It's 40,000 fans every night. It is, bro. I'm living the dream.' Indeed, the video of Escarra sitting in the Yankees clubhouse this past March and calling to tell his Cuban-born mother, Marinelys, that he had made the Yankees out of spring training is a tear-jerker. Said Escarra: 'Acabo de hablar con (Yankees manager) Boone,' (I just talked to Boone.) His mom, sensing some important news: 'No, dime!' (No, tell me!) Escarra: 'Vamos para Nueva York!' (We're going to New York!) At that point, Escarra's mom starts screaming. Escarra is smiling … and then seconds later wiping away tears. 'I saw the video again just yesterday,' Escarra said on Wednesday. 'It never gets old. It still makes me cry.' On Tuesday, Escarra flew home to Hialeah, where he and his wife, Jocelyn, own an apartment they share with their newborn son. Jocelyn and the baby will join J.C. in New York as soon as the little guy is able to travel. Years from now, Juan Carlos Escarra III will be able to read a book about his father, watch a movie about his dad and also a documentary because all of that is in the works. TIGHT FAMILY The story starts in Cuba where J.C. Escarra's parents, Marinelys and Juan Carlos, were born. They met and settled in Hialeah with their two sons, J.C. and Michael Derek Escarra, whose middle name – ironically – was given in honor of former Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter. J.C. said his father worked three jobs while Marinelys went to nursing school. Money was tight, but Escarra said he never lacked for anything. 'Growing up, my pops put me in baseball,' Escarra said. 'There was never a tournament that my mom and dad didn't take me to. They didn't make a lot of money, but they always got me private coaching, and they didn't mind.' Escarra met Jocelyn in ninth-grade biology class at Mater Academy, and they started dating a couple years later. 'I didn't like him at first,' Jocelyn said with a laugh. 'No, I did, but he was after me a little more. 'It's his personality (that won me over). He's always happy, he's always smiling, and he's always positive.' While that relationship was starting to blossom, Escarra was making his mark as a Mater Academy baseball player. Eddie Gorriz, the coach at Mater at the time, said Escarra had 'really good hands and a cannon for an arm.' Escarra was a corner infielder, and Kevin Abraham, who later played for Florida Atlantic University, was Mater's catcher. 'Since J.C. is a lefty hitter who throws righty,' Gorriz said, 'the scouts would be all over me to put him behind the dish.' Escarra said Mets scout Mike Silvestri was the first person to suggest he should play catcher. But Escarra had no experience at the position, and Gorriz was trying to win games not please scouts. Translation: The only catching experience Escarra got in high school was in intra-squad games. Even so, the Mets drafted Escarra – as a catcher – in the 32nd round in 2013. Getting drafted so low, it was fairly easy for Escarra to turn down the Mets, opting to play at FIU. But as an FIU freshman in 2014, Escarra sat behind catcher Aramis Garcia, who went on to get drafted by the Giants in the second round that year. For the next three years at FIU, Escarra played catcher only sporadically and was instead used mostly at DH and first base. Escarra also missed his junior season due to shoulder surgery. On the positive side, he earned his Bachelor's degree from FIU in 2017, majoring in Recreation and Sports Management. Also that year, J.C. and Jocelyn got engaged. It happened after an FIU baseball game. Unbeknownst to Jocelyn, Escarra had all his family and friends remain in the stands. Ever the romantic, Escarra had arranged for giant letters to stretch from first to third base, and they read: WILL YOU MARRY ME? There were also rose petals, fireworks, a violinist and a 'yes' from Jocelyn. Capping off 2017, the Orioles drafted Escarra in the 15th round. Kelvin Colon, who was the Orioles area scout at the time, shared with The Herald the scouting report he wrote on Escarra eight years ago. 'Knows his role,' Colon wrote. 'Good leader. Winning-type player. Would consider drafting him in the ninth or 10th round.' The Orioles heeded that advice, taking Escarra a few rounds later. 'It was the (character) that drew me,' Colon said. 'Being a late-round draftee, you have to be passionate about the game. 'He comes from a blue-collar Cuban-American family. That's his foundation, and I knew he would do whatever it took to make it to the majors.' ADVERSITY HITS Escarra reached Triple-A in 2021, posting a .673 OPS in 58 games. But when the Orioles released him the following year, Escarra was devastated. The date of the release was April 6, 2022 – just six months before Escarra and Jocelyn were to be married. Escarra had a notion to quit baseball at that time, but his family wouldn't let him. To make ends meet, Escarra worked as an Uber driver, and there was also Jocelyn's salary as a teacher. In the meantime, Escarra – who had been used mostly as a first baseman in the Orioles organization – instructed his agent to find him a team that would allow him to play catcher. That led to seven different teams over the next two years before the Yankees signed him in January of 2024, sending Escarra to Double-A Somerset. At Somerset, Escarra played catcher behind Ben Rice, who is now the Yankees DH, and Agustin Ramirez, who this year has become a Marlins rookie sensation. In November of 2024, the Yankees put Escarra on their 40-man roster so that they would not lose him to minor-league free agency. Mervyl Melendez, who coached Escarra in his final season at FIU, completely gets why the Yankees would make that move. 'J.C.'s character is unbelievable,' Melendez said. 'In the year he played for me, J.C. got off to a slow start. I benched him for a few games to give him a mental break, and he came back and hit 15 homers the rest of the season. 'He never let his ego get in the way. As a pro, he went down to play independent ball – just a humble and persistent guy and one of the best human beings I've ever been around.' HARD AT WORK Escarra is one of only two former FIU players currently in the majors – the other is Cleveland pitcher Logan Allen. Beyond that, Escarra is also one of the hardest-working players in the majors. For a 7 p.m. home game, Escarra arrives at the stadium at about 12:30 or 12:45. A lot of that time prior to first pitch is spent in meetings as Escarra and starting catcher Austin Wells go over the scouting report on every opposing hitter. Escarra also has to know every opposing pitcher. Then there's on-field work – batting practice and fielding practice. 'A lot of meetings,' Escarra said. 'But it's our livelihood, and I wouldn't change it.' During games, even if Escarra is not playing, he is sitting next to Wells and Yankees catching coach Tanner Swanson. 'I'm locked in,' Escarra said. 'Let's say (Wells) stubs his toe, I'm expected to go in and hold it down.' As a catcher, Escarra said, he is constantly thinking 'three steps ahead,' reading swings and pondering who is on deck, for example. The Escarra family is also thinking ahead … to August 1-3 when the Yankees will visit the Marlins for three games. You can bet his family members will all be there, including Escarra's mother, who is still a nurse at Jackson Hospital; his brother, who is also a nurse at Jackson; and his father, who recently retired from Comcast at age 65. Another part of Escarra's core group of family members is his maternal grandmother, Maria Sosa. As stated, this is a blue-collar, tight-knit family. His parents went to Hialeah High, and they still live in the house where Escarra grew up. And Escarra, Jocelyn and the baby live just five minutes away. 'Whatever I've gone through in my career, my family has gone through it, too,' Escarra said. 'That's why it was so emotional when I finally made the majors.' A lot has changed for Escarra this year as he is now making a handsome salary – the major-league minimum is $760,000 per season. Escarra is also enjoying the big-city life that is part of the fabric of New York. 'There's a coffee shop on every corner,' he said. Escarra added that he's been recognized on the streets of New York a few times. 'Especially in the first couple of weeks after I made the team,' he said. 'That's when I was on The Today Show, and my story was really out there. 'it's incredible. Just last year I was a nobody, driving an Uber and just trying to get by, and now this. It's mind-blowing.'

Yankees' Aaron Judge Announces Retirement Decision
Yankees' Aaron Judge Announces Retirement Decision

Newsweek

time21 minutes ago

  • Newsweek

Yankees' Aaron Judge Announces Retirement Decision

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The New York Yankees are widely expected to pursue some win-now additions at the upcoming trade deadline. Though the team holds a wild card spot and one of the best records in the American League, general manager Brian Cashman vowed to be "fully engaged" in trade discussions that can fortify the roster, per ESPN. It's clear the Yankees are hoping to capitalize on yet another historic season from their captain Aaron Judge. In his 10th big-league campaign with the Yankees, Judge is posting a career best .355/.462/.733 slash line at age 33. His production since signing a $360 million contract with the Yankees, which has included two Most Valuable Player Awards and four straight All-Star nods, has made that contract look like one of the best in the sport's history. But even though the deal would keep him with the Yankees through 2031, Judge has now spoken out about his plans for a new contract with the team as he revealed his decision on retirement. BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - MAY 02: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees looks on before playing against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 2, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo... BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - MAY 02: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees looks on before playing against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 2, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by) More Smith/Getty "Now 33, Judge wants to play into his 40s," Ian O'Connor reported for The Athletic. "'That's the plan,' he told The Athletic, which means he expects to sign another contract after his nine-year deal expires in 2031, when Judge will be 39." If Judge is able to continue his production into his age-40 season, he'd have a real chance to surpass Babe Ruth for the most home runs in franchise history. And he could finally earn a World Series championship or two along the way. But before he starts planning out the details of his next deal, he wants to make good on a vow he made when he signed his current one. "When I signed this deal, one of the things I promised was that I wanted to come in and be a contributor all the way to the end of that contract," Judge told O'Connor. "So hopefully we'll continue that." As Judge puts together his best season yet in what's already been a remarkable career, there's good reason to hope he'll be able to contribute through the end of his contract and into another one before he retires. More MLB: Phillies Urged To Move For Struggling White Sox Star With Deadline Looming

UEFA Women's Euro 2025: England Stages Dramatic Comeback To Beat Sweden In Penalties
UEFA Women's Euro 2025: England Stages Dramatic Comeback To Beat Sweden In Penalties

Fox News

time33 minutes ago

  • Fox News

UEFA Women's Euro 2025: England Stages Dramatic Comeback To Beat Sweden In Penalties

Defending champion England staged a remarkable late recovery from two goals down to take its quarterfinal against Sweden to extra time and win in penalties on Thursday at the UEFA Women's Euro 2025. England had been trailing almost from the start after Kosovare Asllani fired Sweden in front with less than two minutes on the clock and Stina Blackstenius doubled Sweden's lead in the 25th. With 12 minutes remaining, England looked set to be heading for an early exit. It would have been the first time the Lionesses had failed to reach the semifinals of a major tournament since 2013. However, substitute Chloe Kelly had an immediate impact with two wonderful crosses leading to two goals in the space of two minutes — from Lucy Bronze and teenage substitute Michelle Agyemang. England completed its miraculous comeback in a back-and-forth penalty shootout, which ended with Sweden defender Smilla Holmberg skying her penalty. England is the first team to come back from a 2-0 defecit and win in UEFA Women's Euros history. England will face Italy in the semifinal in Geneva on Tuesday. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store