Obama Splits Press Into Cubs and Sox

(NEWSER) - President Obama will toss the ceremonial first pitch at the All-Star Game on July 14, Major League Baseball announced yesterday. He’ll be the fourth president to do so, following John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, and Gerald Ford, and the seventh to attend the game. He’s also got some first-pitch experience; he did the honors for his beloved Chicago White Sox during the 2005 playoffs. More»

President's South Side Chicago fave plans hat to celebrate 'first fan'

(NEWSER) - The Chicago White Sox are planning an Obama-themed hat to celebrate the historic victory of the team’s most famous fan, the Sun-Times reports. If the White House approves, the Sox will release a version of their classic cap with the “O” logo featured in campaign ads. Obama sporting a Sox lid has boosted the bottom line: sales have jumped 25% since the election. More»

First reelection bid outside DC in recent memory

(NEWSER) - President Obama’s reelection campaign will likely be based in Chicago, not Washington—a rare move for a sitting president, and one that his advisers hope will help him rekindle the energy of 2008, Politico notes. Usually, campaigns are kept close to the president’s DC home, where they’re easily accessible, said a Democratic consultant: "In modern presidential history, this is kind of revolutionary." More»

Third-baseman became legendary broadcaster

(NEWSER) - Renowned Chicago Cubs third-baseman and broadcaster Ron Santo died last night in Arizona of complications from bladder cancer at age 70. “Ronnie will forever be the heart and soul of Cubs fans,” said the team’s chairman. “He enjoyed himself in the booth right to the end,” said a fellow broadcaster. The Tribune recounts his career on and off the field, including the time his toupee caught fire in the press box. More»

Forget president—here's a job he's much more suited to

(NEWSER) - Reihan Salam's career advice for Barack Obama: Give up the presidency and run for mayor of Chicago. No, wait, he's serious! Richard Daley's decision to retire has thrown the city into a tizzy, and who better to take over than a person who knows Chicago's neighborhoods, feels "passionately" about the place, and has "built a diverse coalition in a city sorely in need of new leadership"? Not to mention the fact that one of Obama's inspirations was Harold Washington, the first African-American mayor of Obama's adopted city. More»