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President Obama to Throw Out First Pitch In All-Star Game

6/23/2009 7:58 PM ET By Matt Snyder

    • Matt Snyder
    • Matt Snyder is an NFL and MLB Blogger for FanHouse
Barack ObamaOn July 14, Major League Baseball will hold its annual All-Star Game in St. Louis. Before the actual game begins, though, President Barack Obama will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. It will mark the fourth time in the history of the Midsummer Classic a current president will have the honor of throwing the first pitch in an All-Star Game, and Obama will be the first one to do so since Gerald Ford took aim in 1976.

"Major League Baseball is truly honored that President Obama will be in attendance to throw out the first pitch at the 80th All-Star Game on July 14 in St. Louis," said Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig in a statement. "The central theme of the 2009 All-Star Game is community service, celebrating the extraordinary work being done by ordinary people. We are thrilled that we can come together with President Obama, who has encouraged a renewed spirit of national service, and illustrate a call to action in our communities. President Obama will continue a great tradition that joins our nation's leader and the national pastime."

The pre-game ceremonies are set to begin at 8 PM ET, with FOX Sports offering television coverage and ESPN Radio covering the radio waves. The game will also be televised in more than 200 countries by Major League Baseball International.

The past U.S. Presidents to throw out the ceremonial first pitch were Richard Nixon (1970), John F. Kennedy (1962) and Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1937).

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