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There were no tears.

There were no tears when he addressed the crowd in a Fox interview that was played over the Truist Park sound system.

There were no tears when manager Dave Roberts removed him from the game in the top of third inning so the fans could salute him once final time.

Freddie Freeman didn’t cry Tuesday at the All-Star Game.

“I didn’t know how it was going to go,” Freeman said.

Read more:Shaikin: How to revitalize baseball's All-Star Game? Bat flips

This was the kind of setting that could have very easily turned the emotional Freeman into a sobbing mess, and he admitted as much the previous day. He was returning to the market in which he spent the first 12 years of a career to play in the kind of event that is often a source of reflection.

The absence of tears represented how much can change in four years, especially four years as prosperous as the four years Freeman has played for the Dodgers.

“Time,” Freeman said, “heals everything.”

For both sides.

The same fans who watched him transform from a 20-year-old prospect to a future Hall of Famer warmly cheered for him during pregame introductions — just not with the kind of back-of-the-throat screams they once did.

The same fans who used to chant his name chanted his name again — just not as long as they used to, and definitely not as long as the fans at Dodger Stadium now chant his name.

Freeman will never be just another visiting player here. He won an MVP award here. He won a World Series here.

Braves fans appreciate what he did for them. They respect him. But they have moved on to some degree, just as Freeman has.

“You spend 12 years with Atlanta, you pour your heart into it,” Freeman said. “Now I poured my heart into four years with the Dodgers and still got many more hopefully to go.”

Gaining such a perspective required time.

Freeman acknowledged he was wounded by the decision the Braves made after they won the World Series in 2021. They didn’t offer him the six-year contract he wanted and traded for Matt Olson to replace him as their first baseman. Freeman signed a six-year deal with the Dodgers.

“To be honest, I was blindsided,” Freeman said at the time. “I think every emotion came across. I was hurt.”

He carried that hurt with him into his return to Atlanta, which came a couple of months into his first season with the Dodgers. He spent much of the weekend in tears.

Now looking back, Freeman said, “It does feel like a lifetime ago.”

So much so that Freeman said it was “a little weird” to be back this week in the home team’s clubhouse at Truist Park.

“I was sitting with [Braves manager Brian Snitker] in the office and seeing him and talking to him, seeing all the home clubhouse guys and then it kind of just comes all flying back that, like, well, it has been four years,” Freeman said.

Freeman has since returned to Southern California, where he was born and raised. He’s been embraced by an entirely new fan base that supported his family when his now-five-year-old son was temporarily paralyzed last year because of a rare disease. His postseason heroics — particularly his walk-off grand slam in the Game 1 of the World Series last year — has made him one of the most beloved players on a stacked roster.

“Now, everything’s in the past,” he said. “I get to play in front of my family every single day and we won a championship, so everything’s OK.”

His experience in Los Angeles has liberated him from the negative feelings associated with his breakup with the Braves, allowing him to focus on his positive memories with the organization.

Because of that, Freeman was grateful he was offered a chance to speak directly to the fans before the game.

Read more:‘Put a ‘W’ next to Dino's name.’ NL wins All-Star Game swing-off, with help from Dino Ebel

“From the bottom of my heart, thank you,” he told them.

He was also thankful of how Roberts replaced him with Pete Alonso at first base while the American League was batting. The crowd gave Freeman a standing ovation. Freeman saluted the crowd in return.

“I really appreciate the moments,” Freeman said.

Freeman grounded out in his only at-bat, which was preceded by respectful applause and a brief chant of his name. Another NL first baseman elicited louder cheers when he stepped into the batter’s box, however. That player was Olson, his successor in Atlanta. Freeman wasn’t the only one who had moved on.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Giants' Logan Webb, Robbie Ray were shocked by MLB All-Star Game swing-off originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

MLB might have hit it out of the park with one of its newest rule changes.

Yeah, pun intended.

With Tuesday’s 2025 MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park tied 6-6 after nine innings, the league finally was unable to unveil its swing-off tiebreaker format, which was implemented in 2022 for All-Star Games that were tied after nine innings.

The concept is simple: Both the National and American League managers select three players (and one alternate) to participate in a mini home-run-derby-style competition where each hitter gets three swings, with the team collecting the most home runs after three rounds winning the swing-off and, in turn, the All-Star Game.

On Tuesday night, it was the National League, led by Philadelphia’s Kyle Schwarber, the New York Mets’ Pete Alonso and Miami’s Kyle Stowers, who bested the American League lineup of the Athletics’ Brent Rooker, Seattle’s Randy Arozarena and Tampa Bay’s Jonathan Aranda 4-3 to win the competition.

Giants starting pitchers Robbie Ray and Logan Webb, two of San Francisco’s three representatives, including reliever Randy Rodriguez, were among a handful of players who were caught off guard by the new rule, and spoke to reporters after the game about what unfolded in the National League’s dugout during the ninth inning. (h/t The San Francisco Standard’s John Shea)

“[Dodgers manager] Dave Roberts comes down and goes, ‘Guys, you won’t believe this. If the game ends in a tie, I pre-selected three guys for a Home Run Derby. That’s how we’re going to finish it,” Ray said.

“Nobody knew. We were all like, ‘Is this really how all this is going to happen?’ ”

“I honestly had no clue this was a thing,” Webb added. “We heard who was going to do it, and I was super excited to see Stowers in it, and then they said Schwarber and Pete. and I’m like, ‘All right we’re going to win.’ ”

And that’s exactly what the National League did, thanks to Schwarber hitting all three of his pitchers over the wall for home runs.

“I told Scharber afterward, ‘Dude, you’re just cool, you’re just a cool dude,’ ” Webb shared.

The format, while it elicited mixed reactions online, was an overwhelming success in the eyes of Webb and other MLB players.

“I have a group text with other players around baseball,” Webb said, “and they said we should never play an extra-inning game again. We should always end games just like that. It should be just straight Home Run Derby.”

“A perfect way to end this All-Star Game,” Webb said.

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The Mets enter the second half of the 2025 MLB season in playoff position -- currently in a Wild Card spot while neck and neck with the Phillies for first place in the NL East.

But the group that has gotten New York to this point will be changing in the coming weeks, with the trade deadline rapidly approaching and New York having a handful of big needs.

Here are the five biggest storylines to watch as the second half unfolds...

What happens at the trade deadline?

If the 2024 deadline was the Mets' dipping their toe in the water during a season where the team exceeded expectations, this deadline should see them diving in.

The Mets have two huge needs (center field and the bullpen), one big need (the starting rotation), and one moderate need (third base).

And it would be shocking if the first two needs aren't addressed.

The current situation in center field has Tyrone Taylor starting some days and Jeff McNeil others. That situation is not tenable, with Taylor posting a .580 OPS and McNeil better suited for the infield dirt. Among the options who could be available? Cedric Mullins of the Orioles and Jarren Duran of the Red Sox, though the cost to acquire Duran would be relatively massive.

In the bullpen, New York is getting a dominant season from Edwin Diaz but remains in need of a true setup man. The return of Brooks Raley will help, but more is needed.

While the rotation is finally at full strength, there are questions surrounding Sean Manaea (health) and Clay Holmes (a potential innings limit), so New York should absolutely be looking to bolster its starting staff -- perhaps with a trade for a pending free agent like Zac Gallen or Seth Lugo.

Unless a true blockbuster develops, the Mets won't have to part with prized prospects like Jett Williams, Jonah Tong, or Nolan McLean in order to address their deficiencies.

Francisco Alvarez's potential impact

Since being sent down to Triple-A Syracuse to -- in David Stearns' words -- work on things that were "not statistical," Alvarez has nevertheless gone off power-wise while also working to refine his defense and other aspects of his game.

In 64 at-bats over 18 games, Alvarez has hit .250/.333/.672 with eight home runs.

He's still striking out at a high clip (22 times in those 18 games), but Alvarez is getting very close to a return to the majors.

Given how young Alvarez is, it's easy to forget that he's still coming into his own as a hitter. It's also easy to forget that he blasted 25 homers in 123 games as a rookie in 2023, and still possesses massive power potential.

The Mets don't need Alvarez to be a game-changer at the plate for them in the second half, though. They just need him to be a consistent threat.

Possible debuts of Nolan McLean and Brandon Sproat

It's fair to argue that both McLean and Sproat should've been called on to start games at the end of the first half, when the Mets instead chose to have a bunch of bullpen games.

Both pitchers have top of the rotation upside, and are developing and performing in a way where their big league debuts could be around the corner.

When McLean and/or Sproat are called on could have a lot to do with whether the Mets add to the staff at the deadline and how often they employ a six-man rotation.

In the event the team suffers a long-term injury to any of its regular starters, though, it's McLean or Sproat who should get the call.

Pete Alonso's historic home run chase and future

Alonso has 247 career home runs, putting him six away from passing Darryl Strawberry for the most in Mets history.

There's a chance Alonso passes Strawberry by the time the Mets wrap up a homestand against the Giants and Guardians in early August. But with one patented power surge, he could get there quicker.

New York opens the second half with a six-game homestand against the Reds and Angels before heading on the road for six games against the Giants and Padres.

This is also around the time when Alonso's future will start to become a topic again, with him all but certain to opt out of the two-year deal he signed during the offseason.

Alonso said during All-Star week that it would be "special" to stay with the Mets long-term, and a majority of the fan base feels the same way.

The NL East race

Winning the division is important, though it hasn't mattered a ton when it comes to which teams advance to the LCS (like the Mets did last year after earning a Wild Card spot) and World Series.

Still, the Mets' goal should be to win the division, which would at the very least guarantee them home field in the three-game Wild Card Series.

If they win the division and finish with one of the top two records in the NL, they will get a bye to the LDS.

With the Braves on the verge of selling in what has been a shockingly down year for them, and both the Marlins and Nationals not close to contention, this will be a two-team race between New York and Philadelphia. And the remaining head-to-head matchups could decide it.

The Mets and Phillies have seven regular season games left against each other -- Aug. 25 to 27 at Citi Field and Sept. 8 to 11 at Citizens Bank Park.

The Yankees entered the All-Star break with a 53-43 record but have seen their place atop the AL East slip away.

Although the Yanks have done a good job of pivoting away from Juan Soto and their additions have borne fruit, there are still plenty of holes to fill on this roster if the team hopes to win the division and make it back to the World Series.

Here are five storylines to watch as the Yankees begin the second half of the 2025 season...

Luis Gil's return

The 2024 AL Rookie of the Year has not thrown a pitch in a major league game this season and it has really hurt the rotation.

Combine that with the loss of Gerrit Cole before the season started and the recent season-ending injury to Clarke Schmidt, and New York could use the boost from a returning Gil.

However, how will Gil perform after nearly a year on the shelf?

The 27-year-old had his first rehab start this week, allowing one run on two hits and one walk over 3.1 innings (50 pitches/36 strikes) with Double-A Somerset. Gil was dominant in limited work, striking out six batters in what can only be seen as an encouraging start for the young right-hander.

As for Gil's timeline, manager Aaron Boone said the starter's buildup will be "more conservative." Until Gil is built up to throw 85-90 pitches, the Yankees won't see him on a big league mound. But once they do, it'll be like a trade deadline acquisition.

What moves will Brian Cashman make at deadline?

Speaking of trade deadline acquisitions, the Yankees have a laundry list of moves they need to make.

Cashman said that he is prioritizing pitching, both in the starting rotation and bullpen, but also admitted that they need a third baseman. Whatever moves Cashman makes, they'll need to be significant if the Yanks hope to return to the World Series.

Arizona's Eugenio Suarez could be a great fit at third, while starters like Zac Gallen or Merrill Kelly could also make their way to the Bronx from the desert.

Last season, Cashman's big move was bringing over Jazz Chisholm Jr., and it helped solidify the infield. This season, the longtime GM will have to do more.

Race for the AL East

The Yankees enter the second half of the season on a two-game losing streak and two games back of the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the division.

The road for New York won't be easy, though.

After a three-game set in Atlanta to start the second half, the Yanks will travel to Toronto to take on the Blue Jays for three games. The last time they were in Canada, the Yankees were swept in a four-game series. They will hope to avoid a repeat of that, but they'll need to find more offensive consistency to overcome their recent pitching woes.

Aaron Judge Triple Crown/MVP watch

One player the Yankees can count on this season is Judge.

Judge leads the league in just about every category, but his performance in the second half will be one to watch. He's currently on pace for 59 home runs, but we've seen the Yankee Captain get on a homer streak that can threaten his AL home run record (62).

There's also the MVP race to watch. The only potential player to threaten Judge going back-to-back is Mariners backstop Cal Raleigh. The 2025 Home Run Derby winner leads the majors in home runs (38) and is on pace to hit 64, which would set a new AL record. He also leads the league in RBI (82) while ranking second in slugging and OPS.

Judge leads the league in average (.355), OBP (.462), hits (125), OPS (1.195) and is second in homers (35) and RBI (81). If he can overcome Raleigh in homers and RBI, he'll be the first Triple Crown winner since Miguel Cabrera in 2012 and the first Yankee to do so since Mickey Mantle in 1956.

Max Fried's health/Cy Young aspirations

Fried has been everything the Yankees have asked for and more.

When Cole went down, Fried stepped up to be the ace and is in the conversation for the Cy Young award. The southpaw is first in the AL in wins (11), tied for fourth in ERA (2.43) and tied for eighth in strikeouts (113).

However, Fried left his last start early due to a blister and it could lead to some missed time for the ace. While that could hinder his Cy Young chances, the Yankees are hoping Fried is healthy and available for the postseason run. Fried has thrown 122 innings across 20 starts, and his career-high was 185.1 in 30 starts back in 2022. Fried is on pace to pass those numbers, which could lead to some issues for the oft-injured pitcher.

Perhaps the blister will give Fried the reprieve he will need to go deep into October. But we'll need to watch how the workload is affecting him.

Who doesn’t love a summer rental? Few strings attached, could result in lifelong memories. Perhaps the Mets should look into one to add to their outfield mix. 

Cedric Mullins is a nifty power-speed combo who would give the Mets a lefty-hitting option for center field, a position where they could use an offensive uptick. Mullins is a free agent after this season, so he’d likely be in Flushing just for the rest of this season, which, of course, likely tempers what level of talent the Baltimore Orioles can ask for in return. 

So is Mullins, who has a 30-homer, 30-steal season on his resume, a Met match?

Let’s look at the Pros and Cons of David Stearns potentially trading for the outfielder who has nicknames ranging from "Parking Lot Ced" – for his ability to crush homers completely out of minor league ballparks – to "The Entertainer." 

PROS

At the beginning of this season, Mullins, who turns 31 in October, gave Orioles fans a reminder of his broad skill set. In his first 23 games, he had a slash line of .295/.433/.590 with six homers and five stolen bases. On April 24, his OPS sat at 1.023 and it looked like he was primed for his best season since 2021, when he went 30-30, had an .878 OPS, made the AL All-Star team and finished ninth in AL MVP voting.

Since then? Um, we’ll get into that in the "Cons" section of this piece. 

For now, we move on to how Mullins is a proven source of pop, having hit double-digits in homers in all five seasons as a regular, including 13 so far this year. He’s on pace for his first 20-plus homer season since ‘21. His next home run will be the 100th of his career.

He’s got plenty of derring-do on the bases, too. Mullins has stolen 13 bases in 16 tries this year (81.3 percent) and sits just a shade under 80 percent for his career. In 2022, he became just the fifth Orioles player to record back-to-back seasons of 30-plus steals. His running game would fit nicely on a Mets team that is very efficient at stealing bases – they are 74-for-84 (88 percent).

Mullins, once a switch-hitter who gave it up before his big ‘21 season, could give the Mets a left-handed hitter to pair with Tyrone Taylor, who’s a superior defensive player, in a platoon in center. Mets center fielders ended the first half 24th in average (.223), 25th in on-base percentage (.282), 23rd in slugging (.332) and 24th in OPS (.614). 

Only two teams have fewer home runs than the four the Mets have gotten from their center fielders.

CONS

Mullins has fizzled after his hot start, batting .188 with a .243 on-base percentage and .340 slugging in 56 games. That means he’s at .218/.302/.411 for a .713 OPS at the All-Star break. Still, his OPS is 99 points higher than the MLB average. The MLB average slash line is .245/.315/.400. 

In fairness to Mullins, his first-half numbers in 2024 were not spectacular (.629 OPS), but he roared after the All-Star break, notching an .831 OPS, including a .374 on-base percentage.

Since his big 2021, he’s never had a full-season OPS over .721. If he’s going to offer a platoon option, he’s got to be better against right-handed pitchers (.197 average so far this year).

He’s walking more than ever – he’s got a 10.3 percent walk rate, which would be the first in double-digits in his career – but his 23.4 percent strikeout rate would be the second-highest of his career. 

Some of his defensive metrics have backslid, so he might not be the defender he once was.

VERDICT

Because Mullins is going to be a free agent after the season, his price tag -- should the Orioles move him -- will be more palatable than it would be for a player with years of remaining club control. That’s why Mullins makes more sense for the Mets than, say, a player such as Jarren Duran, the Red Sox outfielder who won’t be a free agent until after the 2028 season.

The Mets, you may have heard, are intent on developing their farm system. Still, true contenders can’t let prospect hoarding stand in the way of improving the big league club in a go-for-it season. Acquiring Mullins, who should not command a strafing of the top end of their prospect list, fits with that boost-the-system mandate while also pumping some power and speed into the major league squad. 

And retaining their best prospects would give the Mets the flexibility to make a bigger deal for pitching, another need. Jeff McNeil could ditch his part-time center field work and concentrate on raking as the second baseman.  

In his career, Mullins has thrived at Citi Field, a noted pitcher’s park, recording a 1.026 OPS. Maybe the Mets should put his Queens comfort to work for them in the second half. 

Considering the Yankees’ lofty baseball accomplishments and stirring history, it figures that they have authored significant moments in Major League Baseball’s annual All-Star Game.

From the very first edition of the Midsummer Classic in 1933, when at least one milestone unfolded as if it were ordained by the baseball gods, to the last time the All-Star Game was played in 2019, Yankee talent has made an impact in the battle between the leagues.

Here’s a look at some of the best moments and performances by Yankees. Any complaints about the order they’re in? Maybe next year we’ll consider fan balloting, like the game itself.

Ruth goes yard 

First is best, right? Or something like that. In the very first All-Star Game in 1933 -- why the heck did it take so long? -- Babe Ruth blasted the first home run in Midsummer Classic history in the American League’s 4-2 victory over the National League at Comiskey Park. What, you thought Joe Cronin was going to do it? With a runner on in the third inning, Ruth connected off Bill Hallahan of the Cardinals, adding another line to his remarkable baseball biography. Ruth also made a terrific catch in right field in the game and teammate Lefty Gomez twirled three scoreless innings. 

Trivia time: Who hit the first All-Star homer in NL history? 

...

Answer:Frankie Frisch of the Cardinals in the sixth inning. That’s not as good a story as Ruth.

Jeter’s first step to history

In the 2000 game at Turner Field in Atlanta, Derek Jeter got to start because of an injury to Alex Rodriguez, and he made the most of the chance. Jeter was 3-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored. He doubled off Randy Johnson in the first inning, singled off Kevin Brown in the third and hit a two-run single off Al Leiter in the fifth. His performance earned him the game’s MVP award -- he was the first Yankee to claim that hardware. It also set the stage for Jeter becoming the first player in MLB history to be named MVP of the All-Star Game and the World Series in the same season. To date, he’s the only one. It was also the first of two 3-for-3 performances in All-Star Games for Jeter. He also did it in 2004.

Recency bias? No 

There was no All-Star Game in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, so this one in Cleveland is the most recent one and Shane Bieber of the Indians was the MVP after a blazing fifth inning in which he struck out the side. But pinstriped fingerprints were all over this Midsummer Classic. CC Sabathia, who was retiring at the end of the season, was there as an honorary member. The Yankee lefty, who started his wonderful career in Cleveland, received multiple ovations, including when he threw out the ceremonial first pitch. He even surprised Aroldis Chapman with a mound visit in the ninth. Masahiro Tanaka threw a scoreless inning and was the winning pitcher and Chapman struck out the side in the ninth for the save.

Derek’s last Midsummer stand 

In 2014, Jeter played in his final Midsummer Classic and went 2-for-2 with a run scored. Did Adam Wainwright of the Cardinals groove one for him in the first inning, helping Jeter rip a double? Who cares? It made for a nice capper to 14 All-Star Games for the Yankee captain, who finished with a .481 average (13-for-27) -- third-best all-time.

Gehrig goes off

They didn’t invent the All-Star Game MVP Award until 1962, but Lou Gehrig probably would’ve won the trophy if it had existed in 1937. He went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer off Dizzy Dean and four total RBI in the AL’s 8-3 victory. It was his second straight Midsummer Classic with a home run after a slow start to his All-Star career. Entering the ‘36 game, he had been 0-for-9 against the NL’s best.

Who needs the DH?

Vic Raschi threw three scoreless innings of relief to earn the win in the AL’s 5-2 victory in 1948, including a key strikeout of Richie Ashburn with the bases loaded. And, in the days before the designated hitter, he proved adept at the plate, too. Raschi smacked a tie-breaking, two-run single in the fourth inning to give the AL the lead for good. Not bad for someone who was a .184 hitter in his career.

Lefty goes long

This wouldn’t happen today, considering that starters often don’t pitch six innings during regular season games. But Gomez threw six innings of one-run ball in the 1935 All-Star Game, holding the NL to three measly hits. It was part of a remarkable run for Gomez, who still has the ASG record with three wins.

One Mo moment

In 2013, Mariano Rivera made his final All-Star appearance, throwing a scoreless inning at Citi Field to much applause. Maybe his MVP award was partly sentimental, but he certainly deserved as much recognition as possible. After all, he was selected to 13 All-Star teams, had a 0.00 ERA and a record four saves. He also had missed most of 2012 with a knee injury and is the greatest relief pitcher in the history of baseball.

Joe D, super sub

Joe DiMaggio had only played 12 games before the Midsummer Classic because of injury, but was added to the team as a reserve and then got into the starting lineup when Tommy Henrich was hurt. DiMaggio, seizing the moment, went 2-for-4 with three RBI in an 11-7 AL win.

Second billing

The 1983 game was all about Fred Lynn’s grand slam, the first one in Midsummer Classic history. But Dave Winfield starred, too, going 3-for-3 with two runs and an RBI.

Honorable mentions

All four Yankee home run derby champs: Tino Martinez (1997), Jason Giambi (2002), Robinson Canó (2011) and Aaron Judge (2017)... DiMaggio homered in 1939, the first ASG at Yankee Stadium... Not a performance, but a ballpark: The 2008 game, the last ASG at Yankee Stadium, matched the record for innings (15) and set the record for time (four hours, 50 minutes). Jeter was quoted afterward saying it was like the Stadium itself didn’t want the game to end.

The Mets don’t have a particularly notable history of big hits or meaningful plays in All-Star Games, but they’ve had their share of compelling moments in the Midsummer Classic, mostly built around pitching performances, which fits with what they’ve been as an organization all these years.

Here, then, is my list of the 10 most memorable moments/performances, which are dominated, not surprisingly, by Tom Seaver:

10) 1970: Seaver makes first All-Star start

Coming off the Miracle Mets’ 1969 championship, manager Gil Hodges gave Seaver the start in Cincinnati’s brand-new Riverfront Stadium, and had him go three scoreless innings, as he racked up four strikeouts.

It was a different time, obviously, in the way pitchers were handled, but this tidbit still seems remarkable: Hodges used Seaver in relief the Sunday before the All-Star Game, bringing him into the ninth inning even after the Expos had broken a 3-3 tie and taken a 5-3 lead, and then allowed him to pitch those three innings two days later in a game the NL eventually won 5-4. Seaver went on to pitch in eight All-Star games (he made the team 12 times), posting a 4.85 ERA mostly because he allowed three runs in one inning in 1975.

9) 2006: David Wright goes deep in his first appearance

In the first of his nine All-Star Games, in Pittsburgh, Wright took lefty Kenny Rogers deep in the second inning -- his first at-bat. It was only the second All-Star home run by a Met, 27 years after Mazzilli hit his in Seattle, and no Met has hit one since.

It was Wright’s only extra-base hit as an All-Star, but he did hit .389 in his nine appearances, going 7-for-18.

8) 1990: Darryl Strawberry shows off his Howitzer

Strawberry didn’t have many memorable moments during his eight All-Star Games, but in 1990 at Wrigley Field, he drew oohs and aahs for a spectacular throw he made from right field in the seventh inning.

With one out and Julio Franco on third base, Jose Canseco lofted a fly to medium-range right field. Strawberry caught the ball with momentum going toward the plate and threw a strike on the fly to Mike Scioscia to get Franco and end the inning. The throw kept the NL close at 2-0, but that turned out to be the final score as the AL won.

7) 1968: Seaver strikes out Mickey Mantle

Nobody knew yet what an immortal Seaver would become, but in hindsight, this was quite an historic moment, as the Mets’ future Hall-of-Famer struck out Mantle in his final All-Star at-bat.

By then, Mantle was a shell of his former self but he was picked for sentimental reasons, and named honorary captain of the AL team as he appeared in his 20^th All-Star Game (MLB played two All-Star games from 1959-62). Pinch-hitting in the eighth inning in the Astrodome, Mantle was overpowered by Seaver on four pitches, going down swinging on a high fastball. For Seaver, it was one of five strikeouts as he pitched the seventh and eighth innings in a 1-0 win for the NL.

6) 2019 and 2021: Pete Alonso wins Home Run Derby; 2025: Alonso goes deep

Let’s face it, for years now the Derby has generated more interest than the game itself, and in this case, it raised Alonso’s rookie profile. He was already the talk of New York, with 30 home runs at the All-Star break, and made no secret of how much he wanted to win the derby. So when he did it, out-homering Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the finals, Alonso was an instant star on the national stage.

In the game the next night, held in Cleveland, Alonso went 1-for-2, driving home two runs in the eighth inning with a bases-loaded single as the NL rallied but wound up losing 4-3.

Alonso won the Derby a second time in 2021 at Coors Field in Colorado, which made it back-to-back wins since the event wasn't held in 2020 due to the pandemic.

In the 2025 game, after Alonso passed on participating in the Derby, he blasted a three-run homer to become the third Mets player to ever homer in an All-Star Game. His heroics came a few innings before the NL won the game on the first-ever swing-off, which was decided with Alonso in the on-deck circle.

5) 1967: Rookie Tom Seaver closes out longest All-Star Game

Seaver wasn’t in the plans to pitch until the game, held in Anaheim, Calif., went to the 15^th inning and the National League was running out of pitchers. Then, Tony Perez hit a home run in the top of the 15^th to put the NL ahead and the Mets’ young star came on to get the final three outs of the 2-1 win.

Seaver earned a relatively easy save, getting Tony Conigliaro to fly out, and then, after walking Carl Yastrzemski, getting Bill Freehan to fly out before finishing with a flourish, striking out Ken Berry to end the longest All-Star Game ever by innings -- a distinction that game now shares with the 2008 game.

4) 1979: Lee Mazzilli hits homer, draws game-winning walk

People who are old enough to have seen it remember the switch-hitting Mazzilli’s opposite-field home run as a left-handed hitter, down the left field line in the old Seattle Kingdome. It was the first home run ever by a Met in an All-Star Game and it tied the game 6-6 in the eighth inning for the NL, but perhaps not as many recall he drew a bases-loaded walk in the top of the ninth to drive in what turned out to be the winning run in a 7-6 victory.

For that matter until I looked it up, I sure didn’t remember that the walk came off Ron Guidry, the Yankees’ reigning AL Cy Young Winner. Quite a night for the local kid from Brooklyn in what turned out to be Mazzilli’s only All-Star appearance.

3) 2015: Jacob deGrom strikes out the side on 10 pitches

At this point, deGrom was the reigning Rookie of the Year but still widely considered Harvey’s sidekick, with Harvey back from Tommy John surgery and seemingly rounding into ace form again. Then, deGrom went out and had an inning in the All-Star Game so dazzling, striking out the side -- Steven Vogt, Jason Kipnis, and Jose Iglesias -- on 10 pitches, that the buzz around him changed instantly.

“I knew he was good but I didn’t know he could do that,” I remember a scout telling me a couple of days later. “Dotting the corners at 98 with his fastball, it was eye-popping.” Just a preview of what was to come, as it turned out.

2) 1984: Rookie Dwight Gooden strikes out the side

This was in an era before social media, the internet, and interleague play, when nationally televised games were few and far between. So when Gooden arrived in San Francisco’s Candlestick Park for the All-Star Game as a 19-year-old rookie, he was leading the National League in strikeouts yet he was still largely an unknown to most of the baseball nation, not to mention American League hitters.

Then, he went out and lit up TV screens across the country, striking out the side after entering the game in the fifth inning, mowing down Larry Parrish, Chet Lemon, and Alvin Davis. Gooden pitched another scoreless inning in the sixth, allowing only a bloop double to Eddie Murray, and that quickly made a name for himself nationally.

1) 2013: Matt Harvey starts game at Citi Field

Anyone who was there will never forget just how electric the atmosphere was as Harvey took the mound at his home ballpark that night, perhaps the best pitcher in the sport at that very moment, just 24 years old.

Harvey was up to the occasion, striking out Miguel Cabrera and Jose Bautista in the first inning to escape a mini-jam, allowing just a Mike Trout opposite-field double in two scoreless innings. Anyone who was there also never would have believed it would be Harvey’s only All-Star appearance.