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Whenever somebody asks me to name my favorite ballparks, I spend most of my time trying to talk myself out of the most boring possible answer.
Sure, Dodger Stadium is a personal favorite. There’s something about the way a SoCal dusk blends with Dodger Blue and the peaceful rise of the San Gabriel Mountains in the distance beyond center field.
And, yeah, you won’t find a more distinctive setting than Oracle Park in San Francisco, where Mission Bay laps against the outfield walls and the lack of a second deck gives you the sense that you are watching a baseball game on a barge. The counterintuitive microclimate only adds to the surreal vibe. Half the winter coats I own were purchased in July in San Francisco.
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I can name a half dozen other stadiums that are worth a special trip. Each is unique in its own way. Yet they all have one thing in common. They aren’t Citizens Bank Park.
I don’t know if the whole world saw it on Tuesday night. But anybody who attended sure did. The 68 players. The two coaching staffs. The nearly 50,000 fans who packed the rows and the aisles and seemingly every square inch of concourse.
“Philly was awesome,” said Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement. “What a great sports city.”
New York Yankees Cody Bellinger is awarded MVP after playing for the American League in the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff PhotographerBaltimore Orioles Adley Rutschman and Tampa Bay Rays Bryan Baker celebrate an American League win at the end of the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff PhotographerTampa Bay Rays Bryan Baker and Baltimore Orioles Adley Rutschman celebrate an American League win in the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff PhotographerTampa Bay Rays Bryan Baker gets the final out to win the game for the American League in the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff PhotographerPhillies Jhoan Duran on the mound for the National League during the ninth inning of the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff PhotographerColorado Rockies Hunter Goodman splits a bat during the eighth inning of the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff PhotographerChicago White Sox Miguel Vargas hits a solo home run during the eighth inning of the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia. American League leads 3-0.Read moreYong Kim / Staff PhotographerThe Phillies Phanatic struts with the colonial dressed during the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff PhotographerDodgers Justin Wrobleski on the mound for the National League during the seventh inning on his 26th birthday at the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhillies Bryce Harper strikes out during the sixth inning All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhillies Bryce Harper shakes hands with home plate umpire Alan Porter, a Hatboro-Horsham Class of 1995 alumnus, during the sixth inning All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff PhotographerDetroit Tigers Kevin McGonigle grounds out to second base during the sixth inning of the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff PhotographerBoyz II Men perform at the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff PhotographerFans hold signs for the “Stand Up for Cancer” tribute during the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff PhotographerFans take a moment for the “Stand Up for Cancer” tribute during the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff PhotographerNational League players hold sparklers during a inning break show with fireworks before the start of the fifth inning of the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff PhotographerNationals pitcher Foster Griffin on the mound for the National League during the fifth inning of the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff PhotographerA fireworks show before the start of the fifth inning of the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhillies Cristopher Sanchez and Kyle Schwarber watch the fourth inning from the National League dugout during the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff PhotographerThe Phillies Phanatic gives Washington Nationals mascot Teddy Roosevelt a ride on his quad during the presidents race before the bottom of the fourth inning of the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhillies Jesus Luzardo on the mound during the fourth inning for the National League in the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhillies Jesus Luzardo looks up after throwing three outs in a row in the fourth inning for the National League in the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff PhotographerFans cheer for Phillies Kyle Schwarber during the third inning of the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff PhotographerTampa Bay Rays Junior Caminero is hit by a pitch during the third inning of the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff PhotographerCleveland Guardians pitcher Parker Messick throws a pitch during the second inning of the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhillies Brandon Marsh strikes out looking to end the second inning of the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff PhotographerDodgers Freddie Freeman is walked during the first inning of the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff PhotographerDylan Cease of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches for the American League during the first inning of the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff PhotographerCJ Abrams of Washington Nationals strikes out during the first inning All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff PhotographerJuan Soto of New York Mets strikes out during the first inning All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhillies Kyle Schwarber strikes out during the first inning All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhillies Cristopher Sanchez points his finger after walking Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals during the first inning All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff PhotographerYordan Alvarez of the Houston Astros hits a single during the first inning All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff PhotographerNational League pitcher Cristopher Sanchez of Philadelphia Phillies smiles after striking out Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning of the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff PhotographerThe U.S. Air Force Pararescue execute a jump on the field before the start of the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhillies 2008 World Series MVP Cole Hamels and Hall of Famer Scott Rolen receive the first pitches before the start of the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhillies hall of fame players Steve Carlton and Mike Schmidt throw the first pitch before the start of the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff PhotographerDrum and pipe corp leaves the field after the pre-game ceremony before the start of the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff PhotographerPatti LaBelle performs the National Anthem before the start of the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff PhotographerPatti LaBelle performs the National Anthem before the start of the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff PhotographerPatti LaBelle performs before the start of the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhillies Brandon Marsh (left) greets teammate Kyle Schwarber before the start of the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff PhotographerJordan Walker of the St. Louis Cardinals (second from left) claps as some boo during player introductions before the star of the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia. Walker won the home run derby last night.Read moreYong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhillies interim manager Don Don Mattingly before the start of the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff PhotographerNational League Phillies Jhoan Duran, Jesús Luzardo and Bryce Harper during player introductions before the start of the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff PhotographerJennifer Hudson performs before the start of the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff PhotographerActor Miles Teller before the start of the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff PhotographerCitizens Bank Park preparing to for MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
On a competitive level, South Philly’s first All-Star Game in 30 years was a ho-hum affair. The American League scored three first-inning runs off Phillies lefty Cristopher Sánchez and then engaged in an eight-inning sprint for the exit. The two sides finished with 10 hits, only one for extra bases. Kyle Schwarber, Brandon Marsh and Bryce Harper combined to go 0-for-6.
On every other level, it was a triumph.
It was a triumph for the city, whose splendid skyline first gleamed and then glowed in the summer haze. It was a triumph for the Phillies organization, in particular a grounds crew and game day operations staff that has long powered one of the sport’s best extracurricular environments. Most of all, it was a triumph for the setting and its people: for a ballpark that doesn’t get the respect it deserves as one of the sport’s Crown Jewels, and for a fan base that consistently shows that a household is only as strong as its inhabitants.
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For years, it seemed like a glaring oversight that 22 ballparks would host an All-Star Game before Citizens Bank Park got its turn. As it turned out, the wait was more of a feature than a bug. The bright lights and national television cameras only served to accentuate the glow of a ballpark that somehow looks even better than it did when it opened in 2004. Similar to the red brick rowhouses in the city proper, the outfield’s masonry facades have an age-defying property, especially when contrasted with the industrial steel and wide-open concrete of the concourses and seating decks. You won’t find a stadium or arena in any sport that has aged as gracefully as the house that David Montgomery (and others) built.
Earlier this spring, with the Eagles beginning their due diligence on a potential replacement for Lincoln Financial Field, Phillies owner John Middleton said he sees no reason why Citizens Bank Park shouldn’t last another 100 years.
Tuesday night was a triumph for him, then, too.
There was only one night game a year, the whole sky would brighten up with fireworks, giving us just enough light for a game
We played our best then because, I guess, we all felt like the big leaguers under the lights of some great stadium ❤️ pic.twitter.com/vlrgHEyDyE
— MLB (@MLB) July 15, 2026
Of course, Middleton would be the first one to tell you that the people make the place. So it was on All-Star Weekend. The real star of the show on Monday and Tuesday night was the home crowd, whose caustic electricity provided a much-needed edge for an over-corporatized event that most years feels emptier than a bowl of sugar cereal.
You saw it in the smiles that appeared on the faces of players as the crowd booed its lengthy list of civic enemies. From Yankees starting pitcher Cam Schlittler to Mets outfielder Juan Soto to anybody in a Braves or Red Sox jersey, those targeted grinned and waved in appreciation. By the end of the proceedings, it felt like an insult to be ignored.
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“Like they always say,” said Soto, “if they boo you, then you’re doing things right.”
The heckling was mostly good-natured, save for an appearance by Mr. and Mrs. Met.
This was a celebration first and foremost. The event’s organizers and executors were aided by a number of ready-made story lines. They included the All-Star debut of Catholic League standout Kevin McGonigle and the homecoming of Mike Trout in his career’s twilight, in addition to Sánchez on the mound and Schwarber and Marsh in the starting lineup. But MLB also did its part. With a devastating labor stoppage potentially looming in a sport that increasingly feels anachronistic in the swirl of a country’s division and distraction, baseball managed to summon a lot of its friendlier ghosts on Tuesday night.
The climactic moment was curiously timed and even more curiously powerful. In the fifth inning, with the stadium lights dimming and Ray Charles’ famous playing on the oversized videoboard in left field, Citizens Bank Park erupted with a fireworks display complete with players holding sparklers and Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman playing catch with one of the local kids who rode their bikes onto the field as part of the program.
“Like I’ve been saying the last two days, since I came up with the Braves, this is my favorite place to play,” Freeman said after the game. “I love the Bank. It wasn’t fun to play because it was Halladay, Hamels, Lee every time, but it was packed every night. It’s a great place to play. Great city.”
Sounds like a win in our book.
