By Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com
07/12/09 4:15 PM ET
ST. LOUIS -- Albert Pujols is the face of the 80th Major League Baseball All-Star Game, so it's appropriate that he'll pair up with the face of the nation Tuesday night.
Pujols has been selected to catch President Barack Obama's ceremonial first pitch before the Midsummer Classic at Busch Stadium. The game will air on FOX at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
An eight-time All-Star, Pujols will be on center stage for this week's events in his home park. He was the Majors' top online and overall vote-getter in balloting for the All-Star Game, collecting 5,397,374 votes. He'll be taking part in Monday's State Farm Home Run Derby. And in advance of taking the field as the National League's starting first baseman for Tuesday's marquee event, he'll snag Obama's first pitch.
But Pujols won't be the only Cardinals hero on the field for that special moment. The six living Cardinals Hall of Famers -- Stan Musial, Bob Gibson, Lou Brock, Red Schoendienst, Bruce Sutter and Ozzie Smith -- will all be there to greet the president.
As for Obama, he'll be wearing a black glove specifically designed for him by Wilson. The glove includes "Obama #44" written in script and an American flag. Following the first pitch, the glove will be authenticated by MLB and sent to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.
The president has also received a request to appear in the FOX Sports broadcast booth during the game.
"We are discussing with FOX the prospect of him being in the booth," White House spokesperson Dan Pfeiffer told SI.com.
Former Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter will all appear in a video address as part of the ceremony honoring the All-Stars Among Us -- a group of 30 people recognized by MLB and People magazine for their outstanding community service. The video, combined with Obama's appearance, will mark the first time all of the living U.S. presidents will participate in a ceremony at a sporting event.
Pujols, of course, will be at the center of it all, keeping with the theme of the week.
Anthony Castrovince is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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