Of course, he’s a lefty

Photo by Jeff Roberson/AP

That’s the point the Chicago Tribune made today in it’s coverage of Tuesday night’s celebration of America’s pasttime: “Obama lobs a softball to open All-Star Game”

As you would expect, President Barack Obama worked from the left while making the ceremonial first pitch at Tuesday’s All-Star Game.

While his short southpaw lob to home plate lacked in style points, he certainly made a striking fashion statement — not to mention showing his South Side sentiment — to the worldwide television audience.

Yes, he wore a zippered black baseball jacket emblazoned with a white script S-O-X down the left side. “My wife thinks that I look cute in this jacket,” he said later on the Fox game telecast.

Sox fans around here were pretty happy with his show of Chicago pride, too.

But fans in Busch stadium weren’t completely enthralled, and that was pretty surprising, given the all-around fun and good nature of the All-Star break. Even the annual competition between the American and National Leagues (why can’t the NL ever win?) lightens up for the event. However, just after Stan ‘The Man’ Musial and several other baseball legends were introduced to wild applause, the president took the field to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. ‘Hey, he’s wearing a Sox jacket’ I said to my husband, followed quickly by….’hey, they’re booing him?!’

Yes, in the midst of clearly loud and wide applause, were loud and clear boos. It was startling.

For what it’s worth, I didn’t think this was the time or place for that.

However, I have to jab the media for how they covered the president’s pitch. Tight shot on the throw, and his backside after the throw, and no follow through by the camera. It stayed on him.

But then, they’ve always got his back.