Every year, Major League Baseball brings together a wide range of performers for the All Star Game Concert, and this year is no different. MLB will be taking you on a trip back into the mid 90s with such acts like Sheryl Crow and Ginuwine (who knew he was still alive?) throughout the week, and you'll also be getting a rockin' show by American Idol winner, David Cook, before the HR Derby! Via MLB PR....

Major League Baseball today announced the All-Star lineup of musicians that will perform during the MLB All-Star Game, the State Farm® Home Run Derby and other events during All-Star Week in St. Louis next week.

Nine-time Grammy award-winner and Missouri native Sheryl Crow, who will be fresh off headlining the free MLB All-Star Charity Concert presented by Pepsi under the Gateway Arch, will perform the U.S. National Anthem as part of the special pre-game ceremony prior to the 2009 MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 14 at Busch Stadium, which will be broadcast on FOX beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET. United States President Barack Obama along with former U.S. Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter will appear in an unprecedented video address as part of the special pre-game ceremony honoring the 30 “All-Stars Among Us,” men and women who are being recognized by Major League Baseball and PEOPLE magazine for their selfless acts of giving and service to their communities. Following the video, President Obama will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Later in the game, country music sensation Sara Evans -- also a Missouri native -- will perform “God Bless America” during the 7th inning stretch. The 80th Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, with pre-game ceremonies beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and Sportsnet HD and televised in more than 200 countries and territories by Major League Baseball International. ESPN Radio will provide exclusive national radio coverage, while MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage.

On Monday, July 13, rock singer/songwriter and 2008 America Idol season winner David Cook will perform two songs with his band prior to the start of the State Farm® Home Run Derby at Busch Stadium. Prior to Cook’s performance, Nikko Smith -- singer/songwriter and 2005 American Idol finalist, and son of St. Louis Cardinals legend Ozzie Smith -- will perform the U.S. National Anthem. Smith performed the U.S. National Anthem prior to Game 4 of the 2006 World Series at Busch Stadium. The State Farm® Home Run Derby will be televised live on ESPN at 8:00 p.m. ET.

On Sunday, July 11, multi-Platinum selling R&B Artist Ginuwine will perform the U.S. National Anthem prior to the 11th annual XM All-Star Futures Game. The game will begin at 2:00 p.m. ET and can be viewed live on ESPN2, ESPN2 HD and MLB.TV. XM will provide satellite radio play-by-play coverage of the XM All-Star Futures Game on XM 175 in addition to its other comprehensive live coverage from St. Louis.

I guess Sheryl Crow is as good as anyone else they could get, but Ginuwine?! The last time I saw him was on TRL back in 1996 singing that "Pony" song. Was Jodeci or Snow not available?

Anytime you rock some mid-90s R&B in an ad, I'm going to pay attention. But when you ruin it with the stupid Kobe puppet....I just turn it off. The idea was clever at first, but hopefully we never have to see these dumb puppets again....

You may remember over the last few years that ESPN had started to use a new tagline for it's MNF commercials leading up to the games. The "Is It Monday Yet?" ads started popping up more frequently and for some reason, I've always seemed to enjoy them (especially the humming one). Well this year they've brought them back, but with 100% more 90s.

I'm combining two ads into one video here but the first one is all you need to worry about. It makes zero sense, but it includes a dream sequence starring THE Stanley Kirk Burrell, or as you know him....MC Hammer....

I've watched that clip about ten times now, and I still have no idea what it's about. But I think the lesson that we have learned though, is that anytime you use MC Hammer and a keytar in the same commercial....it's going to be a winner.

(P.S.- Here's a challenge.....Sing this five times, "We've got to pray. Praaaaaay. Pray....Praaaaay. We've got to pray just to make it today," and have it not be stuck in your head the rest of the day. Good luck.)

I already told you about Jon Bon Jovi's free concert in Central Park the week of the All Star Game but MLB has announced the other musical acts performing next week. Baseball is in accordance with the law that all ASG or Super Bowl acts must have started making music in the 80s or 90s, and just like the Counting Crows last year....it will rock!

The three musical artists who will perform during Major League Baseball's All-Star Game and State Farm Home Run Derby next week at Yankee Stadium have been announced, and they make up quite an All-Star team among themselves.

Nine-time Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter Sheryl Crow will perform the U.S. National Anthem prior to the start of the 79th All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 15 at Yankee Stadium, and pop superstar Josh Groban will perform "God Bless America" during the seventh-inning stretch. The game will be shown live on FOX beginning at 8:00 p.m. (EDT).

The day before the Midsummer Classic, multi-platinum rock band 3 Doors Down will perform a two-song set prior to the start of the State Farm® Home Run Derby, which will be televised live on July 14th on ESPN at 8:00 p.m. (EDT).

I don't expect them to pick the Jonas Brothers or Miley Cirus but someone currently relevant would be a welcome change. Actually I take that back....they tried that with Puddle of Mudd a few years ago and look where they are now.

Also, I think I speak for everyone when I say, "ENOUGH F'ING THREE DOORS DOWN!!!" I don't care if you love the band or not, they are just in overkill mode right now.

All-Star Game ups its star power (MLB.com)

I mentioned that Baseball Tonight is holding a Battle of the Bands competition to see who can do the best rendition of Take Me Out to the Ballgame last week, and we have our first video today. I missed John Pizzarelli last night, and I'll have his submission up when I can find it, but Peter Gammons rocked out a tribute to Bo Diddley on Sunday night.

Unfortunately Peter isn't in the competition, but I have to say that was pretty badass. Everyone knows the guy can jam with a band, but I've never seen him go solo like that. Great start to the competition and I'll try to get each up as we go along.

Introducing Baseball Tonight's Battle Of The Bands (Awful Anouncing)

Sage Steele was talking with Mark Wahlberg about his new movie "The Happening" and as she was closing she accidentally thanked Donnie instead. This obviously led to her admission that she was once a New Kids On The Block fan....

I can't imagine how embarrassing it must be to get someone's name wrong on live TV (I did it once on the radio but corrected myself). Doing it to random athletes is one thing but confusing a star like Mark Whalberg with his brother Donnie has to be especially discomforting. Good thing no one (but me) watches First Take.