Music Overshadowing MLB World Series? John Legend Added to Pre-Game Festivities

Usually the New York Yankees don't have to vie for attention when it comes to post season play, but this year, things are a bit different. Before the MLB World Series started, fans and sportswriters alike pretty much crowned the New York Yankees victors and opted to focus on celebrity a-listers in the stands and pre-game performers.

Namely, two New York natives in Alicia Keys and Jay-Z were anointed to rock the home crowd prior to first pitch vs. (the underestimated) Philadelphia Phillies with their ode to the city in "Empire State of Mind." The song just so happens to be Yankee captain Derek Jeter's anthem as he approaches the plate to bat. Weather postponed the duo's performance prior to yesterday's game and the Phillies went on to take Game 1 behind a gem of a pitching performance by Cliff Lee.

Music fans were disappointed that the Jay-Z and Alicia Keys performance was canceled, but have more reason to tune in for tonight's Game 2 action as Grammy award winning John Legend has been added to the star-studded lineup. Legend will sing the national anthem after Jay-Z and Alicia Keys warm up the audience starting around 7:30p est on Fox.

MLB has a tendency to invite the music industry's hot stars of the moment to draw additional viewers to the games, but can't help but wonder if this year's series is becoming more of a spectacle than anything. For those interested in baseball, not the musical performances, tonight's starting pitchers: Pedro Martinez vs AJ Burnett. So will you tune in? If so, are you watching for the game or for the performances?