Obama kicks off historic night in St. Louis

[babylonsister]

This is a thorough rundown from mlb.com of what was up tonight, for those of us who missed it.

Obama kicks off historic night in St. Louis
First Fan, former presidents honor All-Stars Among Us pregame

By Mark Newman / MLB.com

07/14/09 10:53 PM ET


ST. LOUIS -- President Barack Obama said it was "as much fun as I've had in quite some time," and the sentiments probably were shared by many in a sellout crowd at Busch Stadium and a worldwide TV audience, as the 80th All-Star Game got under way Tuesday night with a pregame ceremony that was truly one for the ages.

"Over the top. Unbelievable," said Tim Brosnan, Major League Baseball's executive vice president of business. "It was overwhelming. You saw history.

"No major sport has ever taken its biggest marketing platform and dedicated it to the 30 people in local communities. This is the first major sport to do it, and we did it with the cooperation of the president of the United States."

The 44th president threw out the ceremonial first pitch, something no one in office had done since Gerald Ford at the 1976 All-Star Game in Philadelphia, won by the NL at a time when it was dominating. It was important that he was part of this, because his call to public service by all Americans was the catalyst for the "Go Beyond" theme that pervaded this entire All-Star Week as well as the moving tribute to 30 winners of the All-Stars Among Us campaign.

It began with the thunderous hooves of the famous Budweiser Clydesdales roaring around the full perimeter warning track starting at the right-field foul pole. Then came the introduction of the All-Stars Among Us, the individuals who drew more than 750,000 votes by fans as those most deserving of representing their local MLB clubs due to a singular act of public service and generosity. A video shown on the giant scoreboard showed first Obama, and then the crowd was especially stirred as every other living president became involved, first George W. Bush, then Bill Clinton, then George H.W. Bush, then Jimmy Carter.

"As a sport," Obama said on the video, "baseball has always embodied the values that make America great. ... Together, let's strive to make America a model for other nations. And in the meantime, enjoy the game."

There were more than a few misty eyes in the house when those everyday heroes were celebrated by that collective Presidential video. Then the 30 winners were marched out toward home plate, then proceeding in two lines over home plate and onto the infield in front of the pitcher's mound. The 66 All-Stars and managers/coaches then left their baselines, where they had just been introduced, and thanked the All-Stars Among Us in a most unique baseball scene.

All the while, in the batting cage adjacent to the Cardinals/National League clubhouse inside the bowels of the stadium, Obama was throwing warmup pitches to Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols.

more...

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090714&content_id=5874014&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

[Cha]

1. I knew he was having as much fun as

a lot of us who were cheering him and the night on!

"The 44th president threw out the ceremonial first pitch, something no one in office had done since Gerald Ford at the 1976 All-Star Game in Philadelphia, won by the NL at a time when it was dominating. It was important that he was part of this, because his call to public service by all Americans was the catalyst for the "Go Beyond" theme that pervaded this entire All-Star Week as well as the moving tribute to 30 winners of the All-Stars Among Us campaign."

Public Service, babyB-)and baseball All Stars!

[cboy4]

2. Barf.

Another politician stinks up a sporting event.

:thumbsdown:

[babylonsister]

3. Wow. Just wow. nt

[cboy4]

4. Yea babylonsister .. we'd hate to have an underprivileged little boy or girl,

or a volunteer who helps the blind, or an Iraq Veteran who just returned home after three tours of duty thrown out the first pitch, ha?

Let's leave it to Obama, who only has everything he's ever dreamed of happen to him .. the leader of the free world .. a man who gets to do things 99 percent of earth can only fantasize about .. a man who's on television every single day.

Yes. Wow. Just wow.

[Cha]

6. Yay, the Organizers wanted President Obama

to do this pitch to highlight Public Service and you're like some freepershit gone mad.

[babylonsister]

7. Damn. I'm sorry you're so angry. I don't recall that you always were,

what's the difference now?

Did you complain when either Bush got to throw a ball?

[cboy4]

9. Of course not babylonsister .. I loved it when Bush threw out the first

ball. Loved seeing Condi Rice and Cheney too! :eyes: :sarcasm:

Are you kidding me?

You know full well I didn't like it, and I still don't like it. I don't care which party the person represents.

Why are you ignoring my comment about who I'd like to see given the opportunity to throw out first pitches?

You have a problem with special needs people, the underprivileged, war veterans who have been through hell?

Huh come?

[babylonsister]

10. No, sweetie. I liked the joy seeing Obama there, the first prez

since Ford to do this. I'm not into baseball, so maybe I'm missing something.

Obama is a role model whether you like it or not. Lots of people will get more from his appearance than your noble candidates, and I mean that sincerely. But attention for a good cause isn't a bad thing. And btw, from the OP, did you read this?

It was important that he was part of this, because his call to public service by all Americans was the catalyst for the "Go Beyond" theme that pervaded this entire All-Star Week as well as the moving tribute to 30 winners of the All-Stars Among Us campaign.



I hope you watch this if you can. Obama isn't the enemy. And I don't want you to be.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8529300

[cboy4]

12. Oh stop. You know I don't think Obama is the enemy .. I just don't want

politicians involved in sports.

Fine, he's a role model .. he's a role model and I'm trilled about that.

But when all is said and done .. he's just a politician who rides around in a Boeing 747-200.

He can appear at all of the important events that he wants .. I just wish he, and all of the other Washington DC insiders would keep off the field.

I'm sorry I'm not star struck with lawmakers.

[babylonsister]

18. You're not starstruck, you're nothing but negative.

Have been for awhile.

WHO are you weeping over for prez, HC? I really don't think she would have been as good.

Yea, whatever. Again, sorry you're miserable. Bon soir.

[cboy4]

24. Refusing to smoosh my lips up to Obama's ass and praise everything he

does .. no questions asked ='s negative in babylonsister's book.

I see.

BTW, it's time to get over the primaries .. your forum is the only people that continues to raise Hillary/the whole PUMA/someone didn't get a pony manra whenever they run out of arguments and don't like what other people have to say/

I always have explanations. You guys have nothing left with accusations and passive-aggressive comments ("again, sorry you're miserable").

On the bright side, I heard unrecommend is here to stay! :thumbsup:

[babylonsister]

32. So explain. nt

[cboy4]

38. I'm happy to explain all of my positions and points.

But you're going to have to be a little more specific than, "so explain."

I've made at least a dozen points.

[flyarm]

22. I was just reading all the Team message boards..seems not too many "Baseball fans" were too happy

with "AllStar Obama game"!

In fact most were pretty pissed off with missing much of the 2nd inning to Obama Ball!

Here is just one taste of what was on one of the team message boards......

Ibanez got Obama'd

It took all those years for Raul to get to the ASG and when he bats, Fox has to get political and talk with the Pres instead of telling Raul's story. Baseball is baseball and polical nonsense belongs somewhere else.



There is a damn good reason no pres has thrown out a ball since 1976...because people don't want their sports mixed with politics!

Oh and on the St Louis board they were talking about Obama being Boo'ed pretty heavily by the people in the stands.Seems Fox cut the mikes so we didn't hear it as loudly as it was in the stadium.

[babylonsister]

25. Quelle surprise!

:rofl: I'm so glad I'm up to see you badmouth Obama yet again! You are a true non-believer!

Were you okay with Willie Mays on AF1, or was that overload for you?

[Jennicut]

27. They sure come out of the woodwork...over a baseball game of all things!

LOL

[flyarm]

28. Quelle Surprise back at"cha!!

I am a huge Wille Mays fan..always have been , and I don't care how he travels..I'M THRILLED HE GOT TO TRAVEL ON AF1, if that is how he wanted to travel..AS HE SURELY WANTED TO.

I just don't appreciate losing 1 1/2 innings of the ALLSTAR GAME AND HAVING TO SEE THE GAME ON REPLAYS BECAUSE THEY MISSED THE PLAYS TO POLITICS!

[cboy4]

29. Well said

:thumbsup:

[babylonsister]

30. I didn't watch it like you did, so I'm sorry you missed out. Who won?

Hey, who was playing?! :D

[cboy4]

35. This is what I mean. You know zero about sports.....I am an avid sports

fan, and I try to explain to you why many of us like to keep politics separate sports, and you go on and on telling me I'm full of shit.

Any idea why most of us like to keep politics separate from sports?

Here's why. It's because Liberal like myself know there are a lot of asshole conservatives on my teams.

And I don't particularly want to know who they are for obvious reasons. I don't want to get in a situation where I'm disliking certain players because they're Republicans.

So this is why politics is such an uncomfortable topic in the world of sports.

But please .. believe what you wish .. you know, that I'm not over the primaries .. or whatever you charge.

[babylonsister]

39. You are ful of poop. I'm a football fan.

NFL. I 'get' you're telling me what I don't know about.

Thanks for coaching me again, cboy. :eyes:

[cboy4]

40. Then why wouldn't you want to keep politics out of sports?

No problem with this, huh?




How 'bout this?

Former U.S. President George W. Bush (C) and former First Lady Laura Bush (L) listen as Texas Rangers owner Thomas Hicks speaks at a dedication ceremony to rename the owner's suite at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington to the President George W. Bush Owner's Suite before the start of the MLB interleague baseball game between the Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros in Arlington, Texas, June 18, 2009.

[cboy4]

26. I know! And politicians are always going to get booed at sporting events.

It doesn't take a masters degree to figure out why!

[TahitiNut]

33. "Fox cut the mikes" ... which figures. They're ALWAYS trying to make him look good.

:eyes:

[Jennicut]

34. This thread is getting very nasty.

[Zomby Woof]

42. A friend of mine was there

And she said there were boos, yes, but they were far outweighed by the cheers.

Let's get real - would FOX, of all networks, mix the sound to FAVOR the president?

What you heard was accurate. But hearing is one thing, and listening is quite another.

[Jennicut]

17. Research the poster....nasty comments all through the primaries.

They have never changed/gotten over it.
End of story.

[cboy4]

31. Did you wanna try to come up with some new and refreshing material,

or are you going to stick with the lame "poutrage PUMA" hasn't gotten over it mantra?

You really need to toughen up Jennicut if you want to tangle on a political discussion board. I sense you're in tears to your girlfriends .. seeking comfort on most nights.

It's a little embarrassing to say the least.

[Jennicut]

36. You know nothing about me.

Toughness is all relative to what you have been through in life. Have you ever been near death? In a coma? I am a diabetic and passed out a few times. I would say I was lucky people were around. Do you stick yourself with a needle every day? Several times a day? Prick yourself five times a day? You know nothing about my "toughness". My own mother won't watch me give myself insulin because it upsets her THAT much. Before I was tested I was poked, prodded and had tons of vials of blood taken. Sure, I'm a wimp. When I had my first daughter, I was severely sick and she was way too big and there were complications during her birth because no one caught that I was diabetic. Yeah, I need to toughen up.

I am also a mother of a 4 and 5 year old and have little time to cry on my girlfriend's shoulders. I am lucky if I see my best friend every few weeks.

I have also been on this board since 2006. I think I can handle it by now but you seem to have an issue with several posters (4 to count so far) that have called out your nastiness.

[cboy4]

37. I'm obviously not questioning you toughness when it comes to your

medical condition, nor would I ever minimize what you've been through as a mother.

My toughen up comment has to do with how you handle dissent when it comes to Obama.

You're quick to use the "oh you just haven't gotten over the primaries" BS, which is not only a passive-aggressive personal attack .. it's a lazy use of your mind.

I've presented a legitimate reason why I don't like politicians involved in sporting events.
I've stated it is not exclusive to Obama, but all politicians of all political affiliations.

And you've done nothing but curl up into a ball and cry foul .. that it must be because I dislike Obama, which is also untrue.

Not only do you need to toughen up when it comes to arguing politics, you need to learn the difference between honest, legitimate facts and "nastiness."

Don't think I haven't seen you whining in other threads about how mean I mean, which is silly.

[Jennicut]

41. You are arguing about Obama at a sporting event.

Its just strikes me as petty. And strange. And doing it over and over again. Once again, strange.
I have criticized Obama on everything from gay rights, to torture photos to health care but a sporting event...really?

And this one: "It's because Liberal like myself know there are a lot of asshole conservatives on my teams.
And I don't particularly want to know who they are for obvious reasons. I don't want to get in a situation where I'm disliking certain players because they're Republicans."

Maybe you need to drop your teams so you can live in reality. Rethugs pervade sports, they are rich and privileged and don't want to pay high taxes. Its pretty much why I cannot get excited about my Patriots any more. I like living in reality and Obama throwing the first pitch at the game seems no big deal. Its a tradition, not so they can ruin your fun.

[Cha]

5. You're going around pissing your

stink on Public Service. So what the fuck does that make you?

[cboy4]

8. There are some things sacred, like sports.

Nobody wants politicians involved.

I have no issue with public service, as long as the people who are serving stay outside the gates of the stadium.

I realize you feel like you're watching a movie star when you see Obama do something -- but some of us are very far from being star struck.

[liberalmuse]

11. You've got to be fucking kidding, right?

Talk about stinking up the planet. Take your decrepit cynicism to a new planet. This one is full up.

[cboy4]

15. The reason he was booed tonight at Busch Stadium is fans people boo

politicians at sporting events.

Is it too much to ask to watch a baseball game without having Obama or some other politician show up and steal away attention from the players.

You know, the ALL STARS, for which the ALL STAR game was being played.

Obama isn't your first cousin or your uncle or your brother. He's a politician. Stop defending him like you see him at Thanksgiving every year.

[babylonsister]

23. Yep, and thanks. It gets so damned old. nt

[PretzelWarrior]

13. I wish I could unrecommend your reply

but I'll just have to recommend the original post. Maybe I'll go create about 5 more usernames so I can recommend it 6 times. Just because of you.

[cboy4]

16. Does that mean you'll be writing five "I'm leaving DU" posts to correlate

with your five sock puppets, or shall we put you down for just one, "woe is me, time to leave DU" thread?

You know .. I wouldn't have mocked you about your silly "I'm leaving DU" epic had you at least articulated a reason (any reason, in fact), why my position an underprivileged kid should have thrown out the first pitch, instead of Obama, is wrong.

Instead, you decided to stomp your feet and pouted with threats of starting a shocking number of five sock puppets. LOL


TYPO

[Balbus]

21. Yeah, that was a pretty bad pitch.

[PretzelWarrior]

14. RECOMMENDED WITH BELLS ON

[HopeOverFear]

19. Ignore, folks. It works wonders

whoever that asshole is who's bothering you...ain't bothering me. Ignore feature. It works. :)

[Jennicut]

20. LOL. I am still trying not to use it but its hard.

[lindisfarne]

43. Video of Obama includes chatting with sportscasters - this will boost his ratings.

I'm not a baseball fan by any means but these 10 minutes will do more for Obama's ratings than most other things he could do (unfortunately, that's the way things work). He was clearly having fun.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/15/obama-play-by-play-at-200_n_233106.html

[Cha]

44. Thank you, I agree! "Obama has surprises for All Stars"

Obama does his homework..

<snip>>

"ST. LOUIS -- Of all the things the stars of Major League Baseball had to have taken away from their meeting with President Barack Obama prior to the 80th All-Star Game on Tuesday, it's this:

The leader of the free world definitely does his homework when it comes to hardball."

On his way out to the mound to throw the first pitch to Albert Pujols in a packed Busch Stadium, No. 44 made sure to saunter through the clubhouses of the National and American Leagues to meet and greet some of his athletic heroes, sign autographs and talk a little baseball.

The players were impressed, to say the least, perhaps none more than White Sox starter Mark Buehrle, who plays for the former Illinois senator's favorite Chicago team."

<much more>>>
http://mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090714&content_id=5876722&vkey=allstar2009&fext=.jsp

[Ino]

45. I wonder why he pitched to Pujols and not Molina.

Did they mention why he didn't pitch to Cardinals all-star catcher?