President Obama will shake many hands during his historic visit to Havanan this week, the first by a U.S. president since Babe Ruth was more man than myth.

One person who wants to be part of the welcome wagon? Rays owner Stuart Sternberg.

Shortly after landing in Cuba on Sunday afternoon, Sternberg spoke about his desire to meet Obama, who’s slated to attend Tampa Bay’s exhibition against the Cuba National Team on Tuesday. As the plan stands, Obama will find time to squeeze in the game when he’s not busy working to thaw the ice that remains in relations between Cuba and the good ol’ US of A.

Roger Mooney of The Tampa Tribune, one of the media types “roughing it” on this assignment, chronicled Sternberg’s reaction:

Sternberg said he would like to meet President Obama, who will attend Tuesday’s game.

“I have a desire to but I guess if it happens, it happens. He’s got other business down here to take care of other than a baseball game,” [Sternberg said of Obama.] “I would think there will be an opportunity. I would be disappointed if it never happened. By the same token I have no expectation that it actually will.”

Hey, Sternberg and Obama have something in common. After his franchise was blessed to search for stadium sites in both Pinellas and Hillsborough counties, the Rays’ boss enjoys warmer relations with an old political foe, the St. Pete City Council. Time does heal all wounds, after all.

Perhaps Obama and Sternberg can talk shop.