ARLINGTON, Texas — The Major League Baseball All-Star Game is Tuesday night at Globe Life Field in Arlington. And the pregame festivities might have a bit more attention than usual.
After Monday night's widely-panned national anthem performance from Ingrid Andress, you might be wondering: Who will MLB bring out there Tuesday night for the Midsummer Classic?
Now we know: Texas country singer Cody Johnson.
Johnson, 37, has been one of the more popular artists in country music in recent years, earning numerous Academy of Country Music Awards nominations and winning the Country Music Association Award for Single of the Year and Music Video of the Year for "'Til You Can't."
And Johnson is no stranger to singing the anthem at big events, especially baseball. In 2019, he delivered the "Star-Spangled Banner" before Game 7 of the World Series in Houston. The East Texas Native has also performed the anthem before a Texas Rangers game and before the Houston Astros' Opening Day game in 2023.
So, why is Johnson's scheduled anthem performance of note?
Well, the anthem became the most talked-about moment of the Home Run Derby on Monday night, as fans and viewers didn't take too kindly to Andress' rendition.
We're not here to play the role of vocal coach, and singing anything in front of 40,000 people, and a national television audience, is no easy task. But social media had plenty to say about Andress' performance.
In fairness, Andress, a 32-year-old Colorado native with four Grammy nominations, is a very talented singer. Before you read the some of what was posted on social media about her Monday night performance, here’s a different video showing Andress’ vocals.
Who is throwing out the first pitch?
Rangers legend and recent Hall of Fame inductee Adrian Beltre will also be part of the pregame events Tuesday night. He'll throw out the first pitch and will be joined by fellow Rangers Hall of Famers Fergie Jenkins, Ivan Rodriguez and Nolan Ryan.
