Rod Carew waves to the crowd after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch prior Game 6. (Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Carew, who was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991, played for the Minnesota Twins and California Angels during a 19-year career that spanned from 1967 to 1985. The 18-time All-Star also threw out the first pitch prior to an ALCS game between his former teams on Oct. 11 at Edison Field.

Carew recorded 3,053 hits during his career and won seven batting titles, surpassed only by Ty Cobb, Tony Gwynn and Honus Wagner. Carew was named AL Rookie of the Year in 1967 and won the league MVP in '77.

Pop singer Brian McKnight, best known for his romantic ballads such as "With Every Beat of My Heart," sang the national anthem prior to Game 6. A native of Buffalo, NY, the singer/songwriter has recorded five albums and has earned numerous Grammy nominations.

McKnight, 33, joins a long list of crooners who have belted the anthem during baseball's premier event. Josh Groban, Daniel Rodriguez, Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole and LeAnn Rimes headlined Games 1 through 5.

Alyson Footer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to approval by Major League Baseball or its clubs.