Axelrod: Obama fought to wear Sox jacket

WASHINGTON, July 18 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama prevailed in a debate about wearing a Chicago White Sox jacket while throwing the first pitch at the All-Star Game, an adviser says.

White House senior adviser David Axelrod told Saturday's Chicago Tribune Obama stayed true to his team even after Major League Baseball executives voiced displeasure that he would show favoritism during the appearance Tuesday in St. Louis.

"There was a big controversy," Axelrod told the newspaper. "I think Major League Baseball wanted him to wear the All-Star jacket, and he was intent on wearing his White Sox jacket. He prevailed in that."

Axelrod -- a Chicago Cubs fan -- said that though Obama is a White Sox backer, he doesn't hate the rival Cubs as many Sox fans do.

"The thing I will say about him -- I'll give him this -- he's not a Cub-hater," Axelrod said. "He will allow that he wants the Cubs to do well. It's just that between the two of them, he prefers the White Sox."

The Tribune reported Axelrod as saying Obama is a serious sports fan, following college football and basketball, as well as baseball.