MLB All-Star Game 2026: Philly fans do more than cheer as festivities end with AL shutout NL

PHILADELPHIA – As the All-Star festivities at Citizens Bank Park came to a close on Tuesday when the American League shut out the National League 4-0 in the 96th game of the Midsummer Classic, one thing was certain: The Philadelphia crowd spent more time booing than cheering.

At the beginning of this event this week in Philly, a forum was organized to support local stars. Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper were leading the way in the Home Run Derby. Ace Christopher Sánchez was making his National League debut on the mound. Outfielder Brandon Marsh was voted the starter. Intrepid southpaw Jesus Luzardo and closer Jhoan Duran were named All-Stars for the first time. Veteran right-hander Zack Wheeler was notably absent — one of the worst All-Star outings in recent memory — but there were plenty of Phillies for the local faithful to shower him with praise.

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Instead, nothing went the way of Philadelphia this week, and fans known for their staunch loyalty and disdain for their rivals made their feelings known — and heard. It started on Saturday at the MLB Draft. The fans who filled the Grand Hall at the Pennsylvania Convention Center set the tone for the week with commissioner Rob Manfred’s usual cheers to open the event, followed by raucous boos whenever the team’s opponent (or the Houston Astros) was on the clock. That was a somewhat consistent theme, as viewers had to wait until pick number 36 for the Phillies to make their first pick.

At Tomorrow’s Sunday Game, a modest crowd was able to rally Braves prospects Cam Caminiti and Mets first baseman Ryan Clifford.

Then on Monday, the dissatisfaction increased tenfold. The Home Run Derby was chosen for Schwarber and Harper to rule the night which presented in a very exciting but disappointing way for those hoping to see Phillie go for the Liberty Bell theme series. Harper failed to advance to the first round. Schwarber got off to a slow start but battled his way to the finals, though he was undeterred in the semifinals against Willson Contreras, who endured a barrage of boos as he tried to surpass Schwarber’s second-round total.

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A field-swinging victory looked within reach when Schwarber hit 11 long balls in the final, but Walker, defying the rain, caught fire long enough to upset the regular season home run leader and leave the CBP crowd in awe.

It should come as no surprise that there was an outcry on Tuesday. As the parade of major league mascots takes place before the game, Mr. Met was greeted with a slogan of disapproval. Lots of boos followed during the player introductions, with every Yankee, Met, Brave and Dodger — and any National League pitcher in Wheeler’s place — heard.

Sánchez took the mound with a chance to restore positive energy to the sellout crowd of 43,916, but instead pitched the top of the first inning, needing 34 pitches to record three outs while giving up three early runs. Luzardo threw a scoreless fourth, but Schwarber, Marsh and Harper combined to go 0-for-5 with four strikeouts.

When National League manager Dave Roberts brought Duran up in the eighth inning to his near-electric door, the crowd’s response was palpable. Shortly thereafter, Rays reliever Bryan Baker recorded the final out to end the American League’s premier game and win 4-0, just the 10th shutout in All-Star Game history and the first since 2013.

With the spotlight on both teams after Sánchez’s wayward start to the game, fireworks were few and far between for the remainder of the contest. The most explosive and exciting sequence of the night came in the uplifting and well-edited version of the popular baseball movie “The Sandlot” after the fourth inning. Otherwise, the rotating characters of the pitchers take turns cutting from the cross list.

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There were just a handful of memorable throws along the way, starting with Cody Bellinger’s two-RBI single off Sánchez in the first to open the scoring and earn him MVP honors. Participating in his first All-Star game since 2019, when he was a legend with the Dodgers, Bellinger is all grown up, well-traveled and well-paid. His career has featured dramatic highs and disappointing lows. He celebrated his 31st birthday on Sunday and received his post-game trophy with his two young daughters, Caiden and Cy, providing a great ending to the weekend.

“It’s very special,” Bellinger said. “My first years in the big league, I was there [an All-Star] two of my first three years, and I was like, ‘Oh, I’m going to be here every year.’ So you know, it took a long time to come back. It’s such a competitive league, and it’s hard to be an All-Star. Life, work, everything must come together. Honestly, I really enjoyed this one. “