President Obama is headed to Michigan this afternoon where he’s scheduled to make remarks about the economy, job training, and education. But it’s Obama’s second stop of the day that has folks over at the White House most excited. From Detroit, the president will fly to St. Louis, where he’ll throw out the ceremonial first pitch at tonight’s Major League Baseball All-Star game. Joining Obama on Air Force One: baseball great Willie Mays. Now it’s no secret that Obama likes basketball, but he’s a pretty big baseball fan, too. There was rarely a day on the campaign that Obama wasn’t spotted wearing his beloved Chicago White Sox hat, and we’re told he wears it with almost the same frequency during down time at the White House. That prompted a funny debate among White House aides last week: should Obama wear his White Sox gear during an official appearance at what is supposed to be a team neutral event?
Some aides argued it wouldn’t be cool for the president of the United States to appear to be endorsing one team over another—especially when millions of dollars in sales of team merchandise are at stake. That prompted scoffing among other aides, who argued that Obama had every right in the world to show team pride. There wasn’t much other protocol to consult. The last time a sitting president threw out a pitch at an all-star game was in 1976 when Gerald Ford hit the mound in Philly in a jacket and tie. Other presidents have usually thrown out pitches during regular-season play where you’re allowed to play favorites. In the end, it was Obama who made the ultimate decision: according to White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, the prez will hit the mound in his White Sox garb tonight. What will Bud Selig think? When you have the president of the United States on hand to show support to what has been a sport under fire in recent years—cough, steroids, cough—your Gaggler tends to think he won’t complain. BTW, look for Obama to join the folks from Fox Sports in the broadcast booth tonight─probably sometime during the second inning.
