Obama Wins Cy Young Because of All-Star Game Pitch

NEW YORK - Barack Obama won the Cy Young Award on Friday because of his opening pitch at the 2009 All Star Game in St. Louis. Not only is he the first U.S. president to win the award, he’s the first person to win the award in both the American and National Leagues.

The award is chosen by the Baseball Writers Association of America. Despite criticism by some that the president hasn’t proven himself in the big leagues, writer Paul Lee said there’s a reason for the skepticism. “Those people are just racist. No question he earned it. His pitch wasn’t a strike, but he was wearing those high-waist jeans. He was really trying. I’d like to see you pitch a ball wearing big pants. I bet Bush couldn’t.”

Obama said he felt humbled and unworthy of being counted in the company of the "transformative figures" of history who have achieved greatness.

"I do not view this as recognition of my own accomplishments but rather an affirmation of America," he said in the White House Rose Garden. "I accept this award with great humbleness on behalf of the great Americans who have gone before me – Whitey Ford, Greg Maddox, Oprah…”

The President's prize is worth $1.4 million, or one Olympic bid in Denmark.