Turkey’s PM Recep Tayyip Erdoğan finally commented on speculation about why U.S. President Barack Obama was photographed holding onto a baseball bat as the respective leaders from Turkey and USA spoke on the phone.

Ankara – Washington Red Line / NationalTurk – Erdogan has spoken on the controversial photo, that pictures US President Obama holding a huge baseball bat during a phone concersation with him.

Turkish PM Erdogan says ‘ Of course, I can’t know what position Obama takes or what he holds in hands while speaking with me. Obama, who I saw and spoke with in the Oval Office at the White House , is a respectful person, my friend and [he] shows his respect.’

Obama Erdogan White House Photo with baseball bat controversy continues

Erdoğan added he was not taking seriously speculations rising in the Turkish and US media over the Obama’s pose.

The photo was officially published on the White House website, with this caption:

“President Barack Obama talks on the phone with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey in the Oval Office, July 30, 2012.”

White House representative Jay Carney stated after being pressed by reporters about a possible hidden meaning to the Obama baseball bat photo that the US president Barack Obama was a baseball fan and a dedicated Chicago White Sox supporter.  It was later explained that the posted photo was to ‘highlight the ongoing close relationship’ between US President Obama and the Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan.

Obama ‘s baseball bat is a precious gift from formet baseball star

The baseball bat Obama gently strokes while having a conversation with Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan is a gift from former baseball star Hank Aaron to Barack Obama himself.

Turkish columnists’ suggestions for Erdogan : Hold beads or a rolling pin at next phone talk !

Turkish columnists from the Turkish dailies Hurriyet and Radikal suggested that Tayyip Erdogan should consider holding something in his own hand the next time he talks to Obama by phone in similar fashion. There are some ideas in form of something like ‘ a prayer-beads or a rolling pin.’