Carey, NY Philharmonic headline All-Star Concert

NEW YORK -- Culminating one sweet day in the parks during All-Star Week, Mariah Carey will join with the New York Philharmonic on Central Park's Great Lawn for the 2013 MLB All-Star Charity Concert benefiting Sandy Relief on Saturday, July 13.

Major League Baseball announced on Monday that Carey, in a "special guest appearance" by the multiple Grammy Award winner, will perform a select number of her classic hits mixed with tracks off her new album. The New York Philharmonic, led by music director Alan Gilbert, will perform two sets of New York and baseball-themed music, including Randy Newman's suite from "The Natural" and the world premiere of Mark Isham's suite from "42."

The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. ET and is free to the public, but a ticket is required for each attendee and can be obtained starting at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at AllStarGame.com/Concert. Earlier on that Saturday, MLB will host the All-Star Game 5K & Fun Run benefiting Sandy Relief presented by Nike in Brooklyn's Prospect Park.

MLB is dedicating that full Saturday to the same cause, and in conjunction with the concert, it will make a $1 million donation to Sandy Relief efforts. Including that donation, MLB has committed more than $5 million to various national and local charities as part of the Midsummer Classic.

"Major League Baseball is committed to leaving a lasting legacy in the community that hosts the All-Star Game. This concert will provide a great opportunity for Major League Baseball to not only raise funds but remind people not to forget about those who still haven't recovered from the devastating impact of Superstorm Sandy," Commissioner Bud Selig said. "This concert will provide another opportunity for our fans to enjoy an All-Star experience in the spectacular setting of Central Park's Great Lawn."

When the Yankees hosted the Midsummer Classic in 2008, Bon Jovi played the first All-Star Charity Concert at the same Great Lawn setting, adding a raucous new dimension to All-Star Week. It was so successful that it was followed a year later by Sheryl Crow's performance under the Arch in St. Louis, and Carey and the New York Philharmonic bring it back in 2013.

As part of this year's concert, MLB executive vice president of baseball operations Joe Torre will make a special appearance and read the classic baseball poem "Casey At the Bat," which was written by Ernest Thayer and first published 125 years ago. Torre played for the All-Star host Mets from 1975-77 and managed the team from 1977-81, and later managed the Yankees from 1996-2007, winning four World Series titles.

"I am really looking forward to celebrating the All-Star Game with this fun program," Gilbert said. "Music might be my main game, but I love baseball, and it's always exciting when the All-Star Game is hosted in New York. It's a thrill to be conducting on this special occasion. It is particularly gratifying to be part of this event that will help support those whose lives were affected by Hurricane Sandy. They are our neighbors, and we're glad we can be there for our community in whatever way we can."

Carey is among the best-selling female artists of all time, with more than 200 million albums sold and a ground-breaking career total of 224 No. 1 Billboard hits, including an unprecedented 18 No. 1 Hot 100 singles, the most of any solo artist in history. Her new single, "#Beautiful," a collaboration with Miguel, is No. 1 in more than 30 countries.

All concert-goers will be screened at security checkpoints before entering the concert grounds. Fans who have tickets can enter on Central Park West and West 72nd street (Western General Admission) or Fifth Avenue and East 72nd street (Eastern General Admission).

No backpacks, alcohol, glass or metal containers, pets or blankets are permitted. A full list of prohibited and acceptable items is available at AllStarGame.com/Concert.

The 84th All-Star Game will be played at Citi Field on July 16. It will be televised nationally by FOX Sports; in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS; and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International's independent feed. Pregame ceremonies will begin at 7:30 p.m. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network, MLB.com and Sirius XM also will provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.