Barack Obama, clad in his White Sox jacket, becomes the first Commander-in-Chief to throw out the ceremonial first pitch in the Midsummer Classic since Gerald Ford tossed the ball at the beginning of the 1976 contest. After warming up in the White House Rose Garden prior to arriving at Busch Stadium, the 44th president’s pitch barely reaches the plate, but doesn’t bounce, thanks to the efforts of Cardinals’ hometown hero Albert Pujols, who moves up from home and reaches out to scoop the low throw.

Barack Obama, clad in his White Sox jacket, becomes the first Commander-in-Chief to throw out the ceremonial first pitch in the Midsummer Classic since Gerald Ford tossed the ball at the beginning of the 1976 contest. After warming up in the White House Rose Garden prior to arriving at Busch Stadium, the 44th president’s pitch barely reaches the plate, but doesn’t bounce, thanks to the efforts of Cardinals’ hometown hero Albert Pujols, who moves up from home and reaches out to scoop the low throw.

The American League runs its unbeaten streak to 13 games (12 wins and a tie) by defeating the National League, 4 – 3, in the 80th All-Star Game at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. The win enables the AL to finish the 2000s without losing any All-Star Game (9-0-1) in the decade, the first time either league has ever accomplished this feat. Carl Crawford of the Rays earns MVP honors by climbing over the left field fence to deprive Brad Hawpe of a home run in the 7th inning.

The American League runs its unbeaten streak to 13 games (12 wins and a tie) by defeating the National League, 4 – 3, in the 80th All-Star Game at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. The win enables the AL to finish the 2000s without losing any All-Star Game (9-0-1) in the decade, the first time either league has ever accomplished this feat. Carl Crawford of the Rays earns MVP honors by climbing over the left field fence to deprive Brad Hawpe of a home run in the 7th inning.