Does he HAVE to make it this easy?

[jnevis]

Big League Stew Mon Apr 05, 2010 2:14 pm EDT

President Obama struggles with command, still reps White Sox
By 'Duk



It's an absolute Fashion Ump no-no, but President Obama had no problems playing both sides of the aisle on Monday afternoon. Though custom dictated he wear a Washington Nationals jacket while throwing out the season's first pitch at Nationals Park, you can see that Obama once again donned a sartorial shoutout to his hometown Chicago White Sox.

After jogging out to the mound before the Nats-Phillies game with his head uncovered, Obama toed the rubber, pulled his familiar Sox cap from his jacket and tugged it tight over his head. The crowd sounded momentarily conflicted over the president's pledge of allegiance, but still cheered once Obama went into his windup.

The pitch sailed high to Ryan Zimmerman's(notes) left for a ball — insert political joke here — so Obama is now working a 2-0 count when it comes to presidential first pitches. He bounced one to Albert Pujols(notes) while wearing a White Sox jacket before last year's All-Star Game.

Obama's appearance was meant to commemorate the 100th anniversary of William Howard Taft's first presidential pitch before a Washington Senators-Philadelphia A's game in 1910. 

Here's what the president told Nats broadcasters afterward: 

"The truth is that I never played organized baseball. While I love watching it, my skills are not where they need to be." 

Hey, at least he's honest. His delivery is nowhere near as smooth as his jumpshot.

I'll leave the last line in the article for the rest of you