MESA, Ariz. -- The Cubs are well aware President Barack Obama is a White Sox fan, but they extended an invitation to him to visit their Spring Training camp on Wednesday when he's in Arizona.

Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee, who contributed to Obama's campaign, was asked to sign a baseball for the president on Tuesday. Obama is scheduled to speak at a Mesa high school on Wednesday.

"He's more than welcome -- I'm a big fan of President Obama," said Lee, who wore Obama T-shirts last season during the campaign. "I definitely supported him, and not only because he's black but because he's qualified, so I'm a fan of him."

However, Lee is aware that Obama lived on the South Side of Chicago.

"It seems like he's a pretty die-hard Sox fan," Lee said. "I don't think you're going to convert to a Cubs fan."

Well, Obama's message has been about bipartisanship and reaching across the aisle, so maybe he could adjust his baseball allegiance.

"That's politics," Lee said. "You can't be like that in sports."

Cubs manager Lou Piniella also extended an invitation.

"We've got to get him a Cubs hat over there," Piniella said. "We can sneak 'Chief Wahoo' over there."

Chief Wahoo? Piniella didn't mean the Cleveland Indians mascot but Ronnie "Woo Woo" Wickers, an iconically annoying Cubs fan, depending on your proximity.

Back to Obama.

"It would be nice for him to mention the Cubs once in awhile," Piniella said. "If he wants to come out here, we'd love to have him. I'm really happy to see he enjoys baseball and I'm happy to see he's a White Sox fan, but mention the Cubbies once in awhile, too.

"There are two good teams in Chicago," Piniella said.