Jhoan Duran’s All-Star Game Entrance: When the Music Forgot to Play

Updated July 14, 2026, 11:18 p.m. ET

Who is Jhoan Duran and Why Was He at a Special Game?

Jhoan Duran is a baseball player who throws the ball for the Philadelphia Phillies (a team in the big baseball league called MLB). The Phillies got him last year from another team, the Minnesota Twins, in a swap (like trading lunchbox toys) before a deadline (the last day teams can swap players). Since that swap, he has walked out to play at their home field, Citizens Bank Park, 32 times.

Important Point: This story is about a special night on July 14, 2026, at the All-Star Game. That’s a fun match where the best players from two big groups—the American League and National League—play together. It was held at the Phillies’ home park in Philadelphia.

How Does Duran Usually Make His Entrance?

Normally, when Duran is about to play, the stadium puts on a cool mini-show. Here is what usually happens, step by step:

1. The big lights in the stadium go dim (like turning off the bedroom lamp).
2. A bell sound rings out.
3. Duran starts jogging from a side area called the bullpen (where pitchers warm up before playing) to the mound (the dirt hill in the middle where he throws the ball).
4. A song called "El Incomprendido" by Farruko plays.
5. Then another song, "Hot" by Daddy Yankee and Pitbull, mixes in.
6. Funny spider pictures crawl on the big TV screens around the park.

This is like a little dance party before he starts throwing!

What Went Wrong This Time?

At the 96th All-Star Game, the music didn’t start when it was supposed to. So, as Duran jogged to the mound, the stadium was silent (no music!). It was a little weird, like a birthday song stopping halfway.

• The music eventually started while he was throwing a few practice pitches.
• Even though many fans had already gone home, the people still there clapped and cheered for him.

Callout: The entrance was "off kilter" (meaning not quite right) because the music team missed the cue. But Duran still got a nice round of applause!

How Did the Game Go for Duran and Others?

Let’s understand the ninth inning (the last part of the game). The National League was losing to the American League by 4 points (score 4‑0).

• A pitcher from the San Diego Padres named Mason Miller went first in that last part.
• Duran started warming up when Miller began walking to the field.
• Miller made a batter from the Chicago White Sox (Munetaka Murakami) miss the ball three times (that’s called a strikeout).
• Then Duran played and got the next two batters out, but he allowed one batter (Randy Arozarena from Seattle Mariners) to hit a single (a small hit that let him safely reach first base).

Fun Extra Details

• Duran had at least six pairs of special shoes (cleats) with flame pictures on them in his locker before the game, to match the spider/heat theme. He got one more pair about four hours before the game started!
• Another player, Riley O’Brien from the St. Louis Cardinals, was at his first All-Star Game. He said before the game he was excited to watch Duran’s entrance from the bench. He mentioned his own team turns lights down when he plays, but he said that’s more for the fans; he is too busy thinking about pitching.

"By that time, I’m pretty focused on the game and what I need to do so I try not to think about it too much," O’Brien said.

About the Reporter

This story was written by Brandon Holveck, who writes about school sports for The News Journal. You can email him at bholveck@delawareonline.com.

Summary

In short, Jhoan Duran, a Phillies pitcher, had a tiny mishap during his entrance at the 2026 All-Star Game because the music didn’t play at first. Normally he has a flashy light‑and‑music show, but this time it was quiet until he started warming up. He still got cheers. He also had cool flame shoes, and another pitcher shared his own thoughts. The game itself saw Duran help get two outs in the final inning.

FAQ

Q1: What is the All-Star Game?
A: It’s a special baseball game where the best players from two big groups (American and National Leagues) play against each other just for fun, not for regular team standings.

Q2: Why did the music not play?
A: The article says it just didn’t start when it was supposed to—a little mistake by the sound team—but it kicked in later while Duran warmed up.

Q3: What is a "bullpen" and "mound"?
A: The bullpen is where relief pitchers (like Duran) get ready to play. The mound is the small hill in the center of the field where the pitcher stands to throw the ball.

Q4: What does "trade deadline" mean?
A: It’s like a last date in the year when teams can swap players with each other. The Phillies got Duran from the Twins before that date last year.

Q5: Who is Mason Miller?
A: He is a pitcher (closer) for the San Diego Padres who played before Duran in the ninth inning of the All-Star Game and struck out a batter.