Best moments from MLB at Field of Dreams Game

DYERSVILLE, Iowa -- The highlights from the third installment of the MLB at Field of Dreams Game presented by John Deere on Thursday night between the Phillies and Twins began long before the first pitch was even thrown -- and continued into the game itself.

From all of the “Field of Dreams” tributes to the MLB-hosted events within the community to Kyle Schwarber doing what he does best, here’s a list of the top moments to come out of the event, won by the Phillies, 7-1.

Schwarbombs into the corn
For anyone waiting to see a ball hit into the corn, Schwarber did not make them wait very long. He crushed the third pitch of the night from Twins starter Taj Bradley over the right-field wall for his MLB-leading 36th home run of the season.

It was also Schwarber’s 47th career leadoff home run, moving him into a tie with Curtis Granderson for the seventh most in MLB history, and broke a tie with former Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins.

Of Schwarber’s 376 career home runs, however, this was the first one to land in a cornfield.

And yet, it wasn't the last. Three innings later, the powerful Schwarber sent another one into the strong Dyersville winds. Twins right fielder Luke Keaschall tracked it to the wall and got a glove on it, but he wasn't able to squeeze it and it landed on the other side of the wooden fence in the field of corn for Schwarber's second homer of the night.

• The top MLB at Field of Dreams moments

Legends highlight star-studded pregame ceremony
An incredible pregame ceremony featured 26 Hall of Famers emerging from the corn in right field in an ode to the most iconic scene in “Field of Dreams.” The two teams walked onto the field first before Schwarber and Twins superstar Byron Buxton introduced the living legends.

It’s believed to be the most Hall of Famers in attendance at one game since the 2008 All-Star Game, when 49 Hall of Famers gathered to watch the final Midsummer Classic at the iconic Yankee Stadium.

Harper's corn bat
You knew Bryce Harper would have something special planned for this one -- and he did not disappoint. He had matching corn sleeves and corn cleats, but the real star of the show was his custom bat. It not only had the look of being an ear of corn, but it even had a little square of butter near the top of the bat that featured his initials.

Meanwhile, teammate Bryson Stott went with a more direct tribute to the movie. He donned custom cleats featuring a depiction of late Phillies icons Tug McGraw, Roy Halladay, Darren Daulton, Robin Roberts, Richie Ashburn and Harry Kalas walking out of the corn.

Just a few guys telling stories
There weren’t just greats of the game coming out of the corn. They were everywhere. During batting practice, maybe the ultimate story circle took place right outside the cage, as some absolute legends swapped stories, and current players took their turns dropping by. Albert Pujols, Barry Bonds and Torii Hunter were among the mega-names holding court, as one player after another dropped by to partake of it for a bit.

One who didn’t want to miss it was Royce Lewis.

“That made my day,” Lewis said. “I didn’t have to do anything the rest of the day -- was already made. I was like, ‘Man, I got to see this field.’ It was so beautiful. Being here in person is way different, the corn, walking out through the corn obviously and then meeting Albert Pujols and Barry Bonds. Talking with Torii Hunter right there, too. That was like a dream for me.”

Clemens to Clemens
Twins infielder Kody Clemens got to play in the game, then had the real highlight of his night afterward. His dad, legendary pitcher Roger Clemens, donned a classic Red Sox jersey and took the field with Kody for some catch.

“It was all his idea,” Kody said. “He wanted to emulate the movie scene with the dad and Kevin Costner. I was all for it. It was hilarious -- there were a ton of fans out there walking around and then we just walked right through them and started filming, and everyone was like ‘What’s happening?’”

Cancer patients get special surprise
The events around the Field of Dreams game are not just limited to Dyersville. Just down the road in Dubuque, a special moment took place before the game. Commissioner Rob Manfred, Hall of Famers Joe Torre and Jim Thome, and longtime big leaguer Jeremy Guthrie visited patients, doctors and staff at the MercyOne Dubuque Cancer Center.

And after a meet and greet and some photos, the five patients got quite a surprise: tickets for each of them to attend Thursday night’s game.

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It’s not a game without ballpark food
Major League Baseball worked alongside Aramark to create a unique Field of Dreams-centric menu featuring popular Midwestern treats, as well as hometown fare from both Philadelphia and Minneapolis.

Among some of the more notable items were “Heaven on a Hot Dog” (a hot dog with sweet corn relish and corn-bacon jam), roast pork sandwiches, Philly cheesesteaks and Minnesota Juicy Lucy burgers.

Of course, it didn’t stop there. Fans could easily find bratwurst, nachos, cheese curds, corn dogs and all of the other traditional concession items throughout the ballpark.

Volunteers give back
MLB Together, along with John Deere employees, gathered on Wednesday at the Riverbend Foodbank to help pack food and resources that will support families in eastern Iowa. In that part of Iowa, one in seven children do not get the necessary resources.

"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."