Shot Through the Park: Free Bon Jovi Concert Gives All Star Game a Good Name

· Steele: <a href="http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/06/curt-flood-an-extraordinary-man-of-principle-and-conviction/">Man of Conviction | <a href="http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/06/hank-greenberg-could-relate-to-flood/">Greenberg Relates
· Moore: Flood's Peers Owe Him Apology
· Blackistone: <a href="http://kevin-blackistone.fanhouse.com/2009/10/06/curt-flood-belongs-in-the-hall-of-fame/">Cooperstown Should Open Doors
· Fletcher: <a href="http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/06/curt-flood-a-hero-to-todays-players-those-who-know-his-name/">Modern Players Know Little of Flood
· Stradley: <a href="http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/06/for-curt-flood-antitrust-meant-exactly-that-at-supreme-court/">Antitrust Meant Just That

Bon Jovi is giving away all kinds of free stuff these days. First, he handed out all those free Philadelphia Soul tickets. Now, in more exciting news (no offense, Arena League), he's performing a free concert in Central Park as a celebration for the All Star Game in New York City.

At a press conference from City Hall on Monday, [NYC Mayor Michael] Bloomberg, along with Major League Baseball and the event's sponsor, Bank of America, announced that a free Bon Jovi concert will be held on July 12 at 8 p.m. in conjunction with the 79th All-Star Game in Yankee Stadium.

No more than 60,000 fans will be allowed to attend the event, which Bloomberg said he hoped would be the largest concert in the history of Central Park's Great Lawn.

"My kids will be particularly thrilled," Bloomberg joked. "This will be a performance by one of the biggest rock bands ever, revered by millions around the world, Bon Jovi.

"I have been a fan of Bon Jovi since I had the same haircut in the '80s."

Guh, Bloomberg. Not that you can hide the photos, but don't go around telling anyone that -- you don't hear David Stern talking about his mustache from the mid-80's, do you? Bloomberg made up for it though, when he dropped a "Blaze of Glory" joke. You know, because song-title-puns are always hysterical.

NYC residents can start picking up their tickets in about eight hours, first come first serve style (9 a.m.), although MLB.com will be giving away plenty of free tickets later. Follow the link above for locations, NYC folks, and you'll be halfway there. Trying to win tickets is just like ... living on a prayer. (You may now boo my puns heartily in the comments.)