Pujols to Catch Obama's All-Star Pitch - Rod_Carew29's Blog

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Pujols to Catch Obama's All-Star Pitch

Posted on July 12, 2009 at 06:04 PM.

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Pujols to catch Obama's All-Star pitch
St. Louis superstar fittingly representing host city

By Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com

07/12/09 4:15 PM ET

ST. LOUIS -- Albert Pujols is the face of the 80th Major League Baseball All-Star Game, so it's appropriate that he'll pair up with the face of the nation Tuesday night.

Pujols has been selected to catch President Barack Obama's ceremonial first pitch before the Midsummer Classic at Busch Stadium. The game will air on FOX at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday.

An eight-time All-Star, Pujols will be on center stage for this week's events in his home park. He was the Majors' top online and overall vote-getter in balloting for the All-Star Game, collecting 5,397,374 votes. He'll be taking part in Monday's State Farm Home Run Derby. And in advance of taking the field as the National League's starting first baseman for Tuesday's marquee event, he'll snag Obama's first pitch.

But Pujols won't be the only Cardinals hero on the field for that special moment. The six living Cardinals Hall of Famers -- Stan Musial, Bob Gibson, Lou Brock, Red Schoendienst, Bruce Sutter and Ozzie Smith -- will all be there to greet the president.

As for Obama, he'll be wearing a black glove specifically designed for him by Wilson. The glove includes "Obama #44" written in script and an American flag. Following the first pitch, the glove will be authenticated by MLB and sent to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.

The president has also received a request to appear in the FOX Sports broadcast booth during the game.

"We are discussing with FOX the prospect of him being in the booth," White House spokesperson Dan Pfeiffer told SI.com.

Former Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter will all appear in a video address as part of the ceremony honoring the All-Stars Among Us -- a group of 30 people recognized by MLB and People magazine for their outstanding community service. The video, combined with Obama's appearance, will mark the first time all of the living U.S. presidents will participate in a ceremony at a sporting event.

Pujols, of course, will be at the center of it all, keeping with the theme of the week.

Anthony Castrovince is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Comments

# 1 Shinyhubcaps @ Jul 12

I know how fanatical you are about these individuals, but honestly, who cares who catches a ceremonial first pitch? Obviously Pujols will be in the center of most of the festivities.

# 2 Rod_Carew29 @ Jul 12

@ Shinyhubcaps:

first off, you REALLY don't know...

a) I'm talking the President of THESE United States...
some loved the idea of Bush, Bush Sr., Clinton, etc. being part of that ceremony...

Me, I LOVE the idea that the man I voted for Barack Hussein Obama will get his chance...And I am proud...ya damnnnnn right!

b) I'm not a Pujols fan per se, so you got that wrong too...but that's fine...you got ur issues and it is what it is...YOUR issues...no problem here..

c) I hate to disappoint you...the reality check is that PRESIDENT OBAMA will be the BRIGHTEST shining light before the game starts...
this WILL be one of those momrnts when Mr. Pujols will be numero dos en el juego ("number two in the game" for the uninformed)

LMAO

Lata!

"I know how fanatical you are about these individuals, but honestly, who cares who catches a ceremonial first pitch? Obviously Pujols will be in the center of most of the festivities