Day: July 13, 2026

From Cal Ripken Jr.’s farewell to Kyle Schwarber introducing the swing-off with a bang, MLB’s All-Star Game delivers some of baseball’s best moments with all of its stars together in one place. With the 2026 midsummer classic set for Tuesday, July 14, we’re looking back at the top moments from the MLB All-Star game this century. The American League had won 13 All-Star games in a row before Brian McCann helped the National League break through in 2010. His three-run double in the seventh inning was responsible for all the NL’s runs, but it was enough to beat the AL 3-1. McCann was an All-Star seven times in 10 seasons with the Atlanta Braves and won the game’s MVP award in 2010. In his final All-Star Game appearance, Clayton Kershaw gave fans a treat. He pulled back the curtain of what it’s like being on the pitcher’s mound, as he wore a microphone during the second inning. Fans heard him give away his pitches as he said, “Here’s some cheese,” before throwing 89-mile-per-hour sinkers to Cal Raleigh and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. We watched him react, saying “that’s sick!” to Kyle Tucker’s diving catch to take away a base hit from Raleigh. We watched him get Guerrero to whiff on a curveball, laughing and saying, “Got him,” after the slugger’s swing, then freezing Guerrero on a slider to strike him out. Kershaw played all 18 seasons with the Dodgers, helping them win the World Series in 2020, 2024 and 2025. He earned 11 All-Star nods and won three Cy Young awards. Elias Diaz made the most of his only All-Star Game appearance, knocking a go-ahead home run in the eighth inning off Felix Bautista. Diaz’s shot into left field gave the National League a 3-2 lead. Diaz is a journeyman catcher who’s played for five MLB franchises, but he will always be remembered for his All-Star Game heroics. “Enter Sandman” played for the final time at an MLB All-Star Game as Mariano Rivera trotted out of the bullpen in 2013. He delivered a perfect outing and was named the game’s MVP. Rivera is known as the greatest closer of all time, recording an MLB best 652 saves over 19 seasons with the Yankees. He led the majors in saves in three different seasons. He earned 13 All-Star nods. Mike Trout led off the 2015 All-Star Game with a towering home run, making it clear from the start that he was on track to win the game’s MVP award for a second straight season. Trout was also named All-Star Game MVP in 2014 after delivering two hits and two RBI. The 11-time All-Star, Trout, has been named the American League MVP three times. In his 16th season with the Los Angeles Angels, he remains the best MLB player ever without a playoff series victory, and he only made the postseason once, in 2014. In the fourth inning of the 2014 All-Star Game, Jeter trotted out for his final inning to a loud standing ovation from the crowd in Target Field. The 14-time All-Star was named the game’s MVP in 2000. In 20 years with the Yankees, “The Captain” helped New York win five World Series titles. Ichiro Suzuki hit a drive into the coffin corner in right field at Oracle Park. It took an unexpected bounce off the wall, allowing Suzuki to round the bases, trotting home without a slide. Suzuki won MVP as a rookie in 2001. He was voted an All-Star in each of his first 10 MLB seasons. He led the league in hits in seven separate years and won the 2004 batting title. The introduction of the swing-off to the All-Star Game proved instantly entertaining and decisive. After the American League and National League played to a tie, Kyle Schwarber stepped up and went a perfect three-for-three to lift the National League to victory. Schwarber also earned All-Star Game MVP for his performance. Schwarber has continued to increase his power over the back half of his career in Philadelphia. He led the NL with 46 home runs in 2022 and 56 in 2025. He currently leads MLB with 32 home runs in 89 games this season, as he’s on track to set his career high in long balls. Hunter leaped over the wall in right center field to bring back Barry Bonds’ home run. The highlight play left a smile on Bonds’ face as all he could do was laugh in surprise before going to hug Hunter. Bonds hit an MLB-best 762 home runs in his career, but in the 2002 All-Star Game, Hunter had none of it. In his 19-year career, Hunter was a nine-time Gold Glove winner — seven with Minnesota and two with the Los Angeles Angels. Cal Ripken Jr., a Hall Of Fame shortstop, made his 19th start in the All-Star Game in 2001, but did so at third base. So in an act of honor, starting shortstop Alex Rodriguez made way for Ripken to take his position in the first inning. Ripken followed that up by hitting a first-inning home run and going on to win All-Star Game MVP. It was the perfect conclusion to Ripken’s storied career, highlighted by his 2,632-game (16 seasons) starting streak, a record that will likely stand the test of time. The Orioles shortstop also won two American League MVP awards and led Baltimore to a World Series victory against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1983.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

This is the World Cup semifinals we’ve all been waiting for, and, in fact, these games are so highly anticipated that you could argue they are just finals that we’re getting a round early. On one side of the bracket, we have France and Spain facing off in the first semifinal on Tuesday at Dallas Stadium, and on the other side, we’re looking at defending champ Argentina against England in a rivalry game with decades of history behind it. It’s the first time since the FIFA rankings debuted in 1992 that the final four World Cup teams are also the top-four in the rankings, and also only the third time in World Cup history where all four semifinalists have won at least one World Cup (1970, 1990). And we’re confident these will be some of the most memorable, competitive and balanced games of the tournament. Here are our World Cup experts’ predictions for the two semifinal matches and which teams will advance to the final for a shot at winning it all. 2026 World Cup Semifinal Predictions World Cup Semifinal 1: France over SpainWorld Cup Semifinal 2: England over Argentina World Cup Semifinal 1: France over SpainWorld Cup Semifinal 2: Argentina over England World Cup Semifinal 1: France over SpainWorld Cup Semifinal 2: Argentina over England World Cup Semifinal 1: Spain over FranceWorld Cup Semifinal 2: England over Argentina World Cup Semifinal 1: France over SpainWorld Cup Semifinal 2: England over Argentina World Cup Semifinal 1: France over SpainWorld Cup Semifinal 2: England over Argentina World Cup Semifinal 1: France over SpainWorld Cup Semifinal 2: England over Argentina World Cup Semifinal 1: France over SpainWorld Cup Semifinal 2: England over Argentina World Cup Semifinal 1: France over SpainWorld Cup Semifinal 2: England over Argentina World Cup Semifinal 1: France over SpainWorld Cup Semifinal 2: England over Argentina World Cup Semifinal 1: France over SpainWorld Cup Semifinal 2: England over Argentina​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Both Spain and France are powerhouses. Both teams are star-studded. And both teams are absolutely thrilling to watch with rich histories playing each other. With so much talent on each roster, you could build a truly exceptional starting lineup – so we did. Below is our combined best XI for Spain vs. France ahead of their World Cup semifinal match on Tuesday. Formation: 4-2-3-1 Goalkeeper Both goalkeepers have had strong tournaments. Maignan has only conceded two goals, while Simón had not conceded until Belgium scored in the quarterfinals. Simón has been excellent for Spain, but Maignan gets the slight nod as the better all-around goalkeeper. Verdict: Mike Maignan, France Right Back Pedro Porro has come onto the scene in his first major international tournament for Spain, providing real value in attack from the right-back position, including a goal against Austria. But Koundé gives you more stability as a polished defender and converted center back, while still having the capability to join the attack and provide value going forward. Verdict: Jules Koundé Right Center Back Both Pau Cubarsí and Dayot Upamecano are great center backs, and this is a very tight battle between the two. Upamecano has the athletic advantage, while Cubarsí provides more ability to play with the ball at his feet. Upamecano can be an accident waiting to happen at times, but in this tournament, he has hardly put a foot wrong. At his best, he is easily one of the best defenders in the world. Verdict: Dayot Upamecano Left Center Back The Premier League-winning Saliba wins this battle over Aymeric Laporte, who is having a strong tournament and has been a veteran leader alongside the young Cubarsí at the back. Despite Spain’s excellent defensive record, Saliba and Upamecano complete the clean sweep over the Spanish center backs. Verdict: William Saliba Left Back It has been a remarkable comeback story for Lucas Digne, starting at this World Cup after his last World Cup for France came in 2014. He has returned and has not been bad, but if there is a weakness in this France team, it is at left back. Cucurella continues to show in this tournament why he is one of the best left backs in the world, and he is now a Real Madrid player after completing his move from Chelsea. Verdict: Marc Cucurella Right Central Midfielder This is another tight battle, with both players widely recognized as world-class players at their position and important to their national teams. But the slight nod goes to Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, who is showing signs of his pre-ACL-injured self at this World Cup. He has been Spain’s composer throughout the tournament, just as he was for Spain at Euro 2024. Verdict: Rodri Left Central Midfielder On paper, this might seem like no conversation, but Rabiot has not laid a foot wrong in this tournament. He has done all the dirty work for France in midfield with his work rate, cleaning up scraps and allowing Michael Olise to roam around and pick up different pockets without having to worry as much about the defensive side. But Pedri is an incredible player on a technical level and gets the nod. Verdict: Pedri Right Winger Both are young star players who will be stars for many years to come. Doué has been important for this France team, splitting time with Bradley Barcola and making an impact off the bench, including winning the penalty that won France the game against Paraguay in the round of 16. But Lamine Yamal is already one of the best players in the world, even at 18 years old. Verdict: Lamine Yamal Central Attacking Midfielder Michael Olise is having as dominant of a tournament as you can possibly have without scoring a goal up to this point. Olise has completely bossed games from the No. 10 position, creating countless opportunities for the front three ahead of him. He already has five assists, which is only one away from tying Pelé’s all-time record at a single World Cup. Every time Olise gets on the ball, magic happens for this France team. Dani Olmo is a pivotal part of this Spanish side, with his intricate line-breaking passing and ability to make late runs into the box and cause havoc. But Olise can make a real case for the Golden Ball at this World Cup. Verdict: Michael Olise Left Winger Despite Yamal playing on the left-hand side, where Dembélé traditionally plays, Dembélé still finds a way into this team. The Ballon d’Or winner was a pivotal piece in a PSG side that won back-to-back Champions League titles, and he is now having his best international tournament ever. He has scored five goals, which in many past international tournaments would put a player firmly in the Golden Boot race. But this tournament has been an anomaly, with three players scoring at least seven goals. Álex Baena has been solid for Spain, but Dembélé is playing at a different level. Verdict: Ousmane Dembélé Striker Mikel Oyarzabal is an underrated piece of this Spanish side. He is not a typical No. 9, but more of a forward who floats around and picks up different pockets. When he does get a crack at goal, he is a very efficient finisher, and he has four goals at this World Cup. But Kylian Mbappé has eight goals and is widely recognized as one of the best players in the world. His total World Cup goal tally has now reached 20, despite being only 27 years old. Verdict: Kylian Mbappé Final Combined XI For France And Spain GK: Mike MaignanRB: Jules KoundéCB: Dayot UpamecanoCB: William SalibaLB: Marc CucurellaCM: RodriCM: PedriRW: Lamine YamalCAM: Michael OliseLW: Ousmane DembéléST: Kylian Mbappé​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports