Sox Meet and Greet Bush on South Lawn
By Tim Heaney
WASHINGTON, March 2 – While the expansion Washington Nationals were winning their first spring training game in Florida, Beltway baseball fans got a taste of the game’s apex Wednesday as President George W. Bush honored the 2004 World Series champion Boston Red Sox at the White House.
“I want to welcome the world champs. and I’d also like to welcome Red Sox Nation,” Bush said in front of hundreds of Sox fans who had been invited by the White House for the ceremony. “Some have said it would be a cold day when the Red Sox made it here.”
The team that broke an 86-year World Series championship drought took a break from its Florida training camp to travel to the cold winter weather of Washington for the South Lawn ceremony.
CEO/President Larry Lucchino and chairman Tom Werner, both longtime friends of the president, stood with the players as Bush commended the Sox’ teamwork and skill during their storybook championship run.
“I appreciate the way this team played baseball. It took lots of guts, and lots of hair,” Bush added, referring to the famously shaggy look worn by Red Sox centerfielder Johnny Damon throughout the season.
The Red Sox performed the greatest comeback in baseball postseason history, becoming the only team to win a seven-game series after losing the first three games. The Sox won four straight games in the American League Championship Series against archrival New York Yankees, then swept the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series.
“No one really expected the answer to the curse of the Bambino would come from a group of players that call themselves ‘idiots,’ except for maybe idiots who don’t understand baseball,” Bush said. “This is a heck of a team.”
Pitcher and playoff hero Curt Schilling gave the 43 rd President a white home jersey reading “Bush 43.” Schilling, a major Bush supporter who campaigned for the President days after the Sox won the Series, sported a periwinkle blue tie similar to Bush’s choice.
Catcher and new team captain Jason Varitek gave Vice President Dick Cheney a red away jersey reading “Cheney 2.” Varitek said that the players were honored to meet with Bush,and that they appreciated the support they received during their championship season.
“In Boston, things are different,” Varitek said after the ceremony. “Everywhere else people would say ‘congratulations,’ there, they’d say ‘thank you.’
Bush, former owner of the Texas Rangers, commended the charitable work of the Red Sox players, including designated hitter David Ortiz, whom Bush labeled “Mr. October” in Spanish for his many clutch performances in last year’s playoffs.
The President, who grew up in Midland, Texas, also praised relief pitcher and Midland native Mike Timlin, saying, “Someone from Midland finally amounted to something.”
Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), Boston mayor Thomas Menino and Major League baseball commissioner Bud Selig attended the event. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) arrived at the event late, scurrying into the front row. He had come straight from a Capitol ceremony in which the Congressional Gold Medal was posthumously awarded to baseball legend Jackie Robinson.
Bush wasted no time in greeting Kerry.
“Senator, welcome. Good to see you.. I like to see Sen. Kerry, except when we’re fixing to debate,” Bush quipped.
Fans displayed their love for the Sox and their hatred for the rival Yankees, with one fan sporting a sign saying “Jeter and A-Rod Wish They Were Here,” referring to Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter and third baseman Alex Rodriguez. Chants of “Who’s Your Papi?” and “Here We Go, Red Sox, Here We Go” echoed throughout the crowd before the ceremony started.
In addition to relishing the moment, the players said the team’s pitching staff had improved and guaranteed this would not be their last trip to the White House.
“We’re definitely going to try to get back here next year,” Damon said.
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