The Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Minnesota Twins 7-1 on August 13, 2026, in the third MLB at Field of Dreams game in Dyersville, Iowa. While the game featured standout performances by Kyle Schwarber and a ceremony honoring 26 Hall of Famers, Netflix’s broadcast faced significant criticism from viewers regarding its host, Elle Duncan.
Game Performance and Schwarber’s Historic Night
The Phillies secured a decisive 7-1 victory in the third installment of the Field of Dreams game, an event presented by John Deere. The game was defined early by Kyle Schwarber, who hit his 36th home run of the season on the third pitch from Twins starter Taj Bradley, sending the ball into the cornfield beyond the right-field wall. According to MLB.com, this marked Schwarber’s 47th career leadoff home run, moving him ahead of Jimmy Rollins for the seventh most in MLB history and into a tie with Curtis Granderson.
Schwarber added a second home run in the fourth inning, which also cleared the wall and landed in the corn. Despite a glove-on effort by Twins right fielder Luke Keaschall, the ball drifted beyond the wooden fence, cementing a standout offensive performance in Dyersville.
Pregame Ceremony and Community Engagement
Before the first pitch, the event featured a ceremony inspired by the 1989 film Field of Dreams.
Twenty-six Hall of Famers emerged from the corn in right field, an assembly believed to be the largest gathering of such legends at a single game since the 2008 All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium. The players from both teams joined the Hall of Famers on the field to open the night, mirroring the iconic imagery of the movie.
Beyond the stadium, MLB and partners coordinated community initiatives. Commissioner Rob Manfred, along with Hall of Famers Joe Torre and Jim Thome, visited patients and staff at the MercyOne Dubuque Cancer Center. Additionally, MLB Together and John Deere employees volunteered at the Riverbend Foodbank to pack resources for families in eastern Iowa. This is important because this is from the community, for the community,
said April Brown, senior vice president of social responsibility. So when you’re an individual who lives and works in the area and you know that you can do a little something to give back to those who need it, it’s incredibly important.
Viewer Reaction to the Netflix Broadcast
While the on-field events received praise, the television production by Netflix drew sharp pushback from baseball fans. Specifically, lead anchor Elle Duncan became a focal point of frustration on social media.
Social media users expressed dissatisfaction with the network’s decision to feature Duncan during the marquee event. One viewer posted on X: @netflix had options for the #FieldofDreamsGame and we get the insufferable Elle Duncan. Damn.
Another user wrote, What dirt does Elle Duncan have on Netflix? Every word out of her mouth is insufferable.
The criticism also extended to the tone of the coverage. Critics argued that the broadcast prioritized commentary over the atmosphere of the historic venue. Duncan has previously faced similar scrutiny for her remarks regarding WNBA star Caitlin Clark, where she stated, It’s not on her to be burdened by social media clowns,
and, As much as we would love for you to be able to just focus on that (basketball)… it’s unfortunately not your reality.
Ballpark Menu Highlights
MLB partnered with Aramark to curate a menu reflective of the host region and the participating teams.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Heaven on a Hot Dog | Hot dog with sweet corn relish and corn-bacon jam |
| Regional Fare | Philly cheesesteaks, Minnesota Juicy Lucy burgers, and roast pork |
| Midwestern Staples | Bratwurst, cheese curds, and corn dogs |
The event concluded with the Phillies moving to 7-1 on the night, leaving the Dyersville community with the third installment of a tradition that remains a significant logistical and promotional effort for Major League Baseball.
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