Obama's path to prominence included a stop at Cougars' stadium

Of all the future stars who have graced the diamond at Geneva's Elfstrom Stadium, home of the Kane County Cougars, there had never been any future presidents.

Until now.

Less than four weeks after Barack Obama made his "Red States, Blue States" speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, he tossed out the first pitch at a Cougars game on Aug. 22, 2004. His speech had thrust him into the national spotlight with the speed of a line drive off the bat of St. Louis slugger Albert Pujols.

Four years later, the country readies for an Obama presidency. But on that sunny Sunday in Geneva Obama was still a state senator who was running for the U.S. Senate, a post he would win that November.

Did anyone on the Cougars sense a future achievement as great as being elected America's first black president?

"I didn't foresee it," said Jeff Ney, Cougars assistant general manager. It was one of Ney's duties to escort Obama on to the field. "But in hindsight, I remember being taken by his manner. I congratulated him on his great speech and wished him well in his senate race. He said, 'Call me Barack.'"

Ney recalled that the Cougars made contact with Obama that summer through "friends of friends."

According to Ney, Obama mingled with fans and signed autographs before stepping into the radio broadcast booth with then announcer Chris Rushin.

Ney said the Cougars extended another invitation to Obama last summer during his campaign for the White House.

"I figured we got the mojo working the first time," Ney said. "But his schedule didn't allow it."

The mojo was there for the Cougars also. They beat the Dayton Dragons 5-1 the day that Obama threw out the first pitch, and went on to win the 2004 Western Division Championship in the Class A Midwest League.

As for the start of the 2009 season, Obama is penciled in to throw out the first ball at U.S. Cellular Field for the home opener of the Chicago White Sox, a team he has publicly expressed preference for over the northside Cubs.

U.S. presidents and baseball go back to the days of Benjamin Harrison, but it's anyone's guess as to whether Obama will get back to the minor leagues.

He's sure to be welcome at Elfstrom Stadium.

"I consider myself an independent for life," Ney said. "But I like his theme of bringing everyone together. I think he's a man of the people."