Obama's All-Star Appearance Halted Plans For Big Musial Tribute

Presence Of President Obama Dampens Plans For More Profound Tribute To Musial

BRIGHTER THAN THE OTHER STARS: The GLOBE & MAIL's Bruce Dowbiggin wrote under the header, "Obama Outshines All-Stars." There was "only one All Star Tuesday night, and he was wearing a White Sox jacket." Nothing "suits Obama better than a big stage, and while the economy roils and he super sizes the federal budget, the Prez owned the room in St. Louis when he jogged out to the mound" to throw out the ceremonial first pitch (GLOBESPORTS.com, 7/15). FanHouse.com's Jay Mariotti said of Obama, "He was brought there so baseball could prove that it was still very important in the bosom of America, and he had a good time. I had a good time watching him. ... He knows a lot about baseball and by the end of the night, it was all about Obama” (“Around the Horn,” ESPN, 7/15). ESPN's Michael Wilbon: “His involvement to me made that night” ("PTI," ESPN, 7/15). In Boston, Steve Buckley writes, "That the president of the United States saw fit to take part in this year’s All-Star Game only solidifies the original point here: Our Midsummer Classic means something" (BOSTON HERALD, 7/16).

A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE: CBS' David Letterman joked about Obama's appearance, saying, "I thought it was fascinating how the New York papers covered the All-Star Game and Obama throwing out the first pitch. New York Times said that Obama threw a perfect strike. Daily News said he threw a ball. The New York Post said he was making out with Kate Hudson" ("Late Show," CBS, 7/15).

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