Obama Congratulates White Sox Pitcher on Perfect Game, Claims Some Credit for the Milestone
EmailABC News’ Karen Travers, Jon Garcia and Rachel Martin report: Just minutes after pitching a perfect game, Chicago White Sox Mark Buehrle was pulled out of his post-game press conference to take a phone call from one very well-known fan.
On the line was President Obama, an avowed White Sox supporter, calling to congratulate Buehrle on throwing the 18th perfect game in major league history and the first since 2004.
On his way to the airport, to fly from Cleveland to his hometown of Chicago, Obama learned via email from a staffer back at the White House that the White Sox nailed down the final three outs in the ninth to clinch the milestone for Buerhle.
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said the president told him, “As a fan it’s extraordinary. When you're a White Sox fan, and l know the guy who did it, makes it even more fun.”
Obama isn’t shy in showing off his loyalty to Chicago’s South Side squad. The president proudly wore a White Sox jacket when he threw out a ceremonial first pitch at the All-Star game in St. Louis last week.
"Everybody knows I'm a White Sox fan. My wife thinks I look cute in this jacket, so, between those two things, why not?" he explained during the game.
Obama told Buehrle that perhaps his choice of attire that night may have been the little extra bit of good luck the pitcher needed to complete what the president called an “unbelievable achievement.”
The president continued his compliments at a Chicago fundraiser where he proclaimed, "I guess today, everybody is a White Sox fan."
Even Cubbies fans were impressed, Obama said.
"I was up on the northside and all these Cubs fans were like 'what about that Buehrle?' And I said that's right. That was extraordinary."
He said he spoke to Buehrle by phone from Air Force One.
"I told him that he needed to buy a big steak dinner for that center fielder, (DeWayne) Wise because he saved that perfect game."
Buehrle's feat even beat good news on Wall Street.
"Somebody just asked me what's more exciting, that or the DOW going over 9000," Obama said.
He chose the perfect game.
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“This is not about me”
Posted by: tjp612 | July 23, 2009, 6:05 pm 6:05 pm
Axelrod told Obama, you live South of Roosevelt Road, you are a White Sox fan. Here is a hat and a jacket. Why are you wearing Michelle’s jeans?
Posted by: Danilo | July 23, 2009, 6:05 pm 6:05 pm
No real White Sox fan would EVER refer to Comiskey Park as Cominskey Field.
Posted by: Skittles | July 23, 2009, 6:07 pm 6:07 pm
Yet one more example of how Obama is absolutely overwhelmed with hugely important matters that won’t allow him to lift a finger on behalf of gay rights.
Yes, yes, I know — to the back of the bus I go. Obama has all the time in the world once more for adults who play children’s games for a (very overpaid) living.
Equal rights are frivolous. We don’t need Arabic translators in the US Armed Forces when we are in 2 wars in 2 countries that speak Arabic, do we?
Baseball, mom jeans and basketball playoff brackets are the stuff of much greater importance.
I think Obama may actually be as big of an imbecile as George Bush was. He’s certainly as arrogant and incompetent in his job.
Posted by: paul | July 23, 2009, 6:12 pm 6:12 pm
Harmless story of the President congratulating an athletic achievement.
Right wingers of course just spew their bile.
Posted by: Ryan C | July 23, 2009, 6:19 pm 6:19 pm
“Obama told Buehrle that perhaps his choice of attire that night may have been the little extra bit of good luck the pitcher needed to complete what the president called an ‘unbelievable achievement.’”
Unbelievable hubris.
It IS all about him. Health care is all about Obama, too. Who cares if 90% of Americans have insurance and most are happy.
Posted by: Mom Jeans | July 23, 2009, 7:30 pm 7:30 pm
Why must everyone bring up this god-awful perfect game? It’s very traumatic for those of us who are Rays fans…
And how did Obama exactly “claim credit” for the PG? What a snarky and misleading headline. Something I’d see on Drudge; not here.
Posted by: matt | July 23, 2009, 7:46 pm 7:46 pm
Typical behavior of a dictator, to even place credit in a perfect game in baseball, to the luck that HE provided. Castro ring a bell?
Posted by: clint | July 23, 2009, 8:28 pm 8:28 pm
This is only in jest, but c’mon man! Can’t it NOT be about you for just once?
Posted by: Jason | July 23, 2009, 8:38 pm 8:38 pm
I remember Obama said that he would lower the rising sea levels, too. Amazing isn’t he?
Perhaps in next week’s games all the teams can pitch no-hitters – maybe Obama can stop all the baseballs from interacting with any bats. The games can go on and on…
And it won’t be “about him”. LOL. Everything he says or does is about HIM.
Maybe he can get Toby Keith to let him use “I Want To Talk About Me” for his campaign theme song since he has not stopped campaigning…
Posted by: Carmelita | July 23, 2009, 9:02 pm 9:02 pm
Why is Obama focused on baseball when we are fighting two wars, the economic situation is in crisis and health insurance reform is foundering?
Couldn’t he have just given it a pass?
Posted by: mad | July 23, 2009, 9:46 pm 9:46 pm
Last week the All Star game…this week the “perfect game.” Any excuse for face time. At least seeing so much of him is seeing him for what he really is.
Posted by: RL in Illinois | July 24, 2009, 12:35 am 12:35 am
I never thought I would see a more self absorbed politician than Bill Clinton, but Obama leaves him in the dust.
Posted by: ConservativeWoman | July 24, 2009, 9:29 am 9:29 am
This guy is going to turn me into a cubs fan.
Posted by: beetfeet | July 24, 2009, 9:40 am 9:40 am
It is because of Barry that the “EGG” did come before the “Chicken”.
SO…..it is written
SO…..it is done!!
Posted by: American Infidel | July 24, 2009, 10:30 am 10:30 am
Did any one who is watching the spending in a cost efficient government,question what it costs to call from Air Force One for 30 seconds.I am sure one who is struggling to feed their child or keep a roof over their heads would appriciate “the transparency” of knowing what these extras cost the taxpayer.
Posted by: Mam Mar | July 24, 2009, 11:58 am 11:58 am
People lighten up. Can you forget politics for 2 min? It was a 5 min phone call. The President is a sports fan so what? Some people just want to create fake outrage at everything.
Posted by: kevink | July 24, 2009, 10:50 pm 10:50 pm