The Chicago Cubs Visit The White House: A Firsthand Account
A guest post from OTBB reader and freelance journalist Brad Wolvin.
The official moment for the country to pinch itself came today, as the Chicago Cubs visited the White House. The Cubs arrived at the personal request of President Obama, the Chicagoan at the end of his presidency.
In fact, Obama today said to the team, “It took you long enough. I mean, I only have four days left. You’re just making it under the wire.”
The Cubs may have waited 108 years to win the World Series, but it was a rush to visit the White House. Major League Baseball champions typically wait until the subsequent regular season to go to the White House, but this time was unique.
Unlike Game 7 of the World Series, there was no rain delay in today’s event, as it was held inside the historic East Room. The chandelier-adorned room was originally designed by George Washington and James Hoban as a “public audience room” and it has been home to historic events such as the signing of the Civil Rights Act. The tradition of baseball champions visiting the White House can be traced back as far as the 1860s.
In today’s visit, the President made some funny remarks about many of the players and staff. For example, not only did manager Joe Maddon have his Game 7 decisions questioned by the President, but Obama called the winning manager a “master of tactics: when to pinch hit, when to pinch run, when to make it rain.”
The President also spoke about executive Theo Epstein, referring to him as the man who ended World Series droughts in Boston and Chicago. “I’ve talked to him about being [Democratic National Committee] chair, but he’s decided wisely to stick to baseball.”
Epstein subsequently took the podium with remarks of his own. He said that he “pardoned” President Obama for his fandom of the Chicago White Sox. On behalf of the team, Epstein gave the President a number of mementos: a traditional #44 jersey, which the team said Obama could share with first baseman Anthony Rizzo; a number 44 from the Wrigley scoreboard; a “W” flag signed by the team; and a lifetime pass to Wrigley field for Obama, which the President noted was marked “non-transferable.”
The only other Chicago team to visit President Obama during his terms in office was the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks, who came three times for their Stanley Cup wins. The Cubs, however, were represented in October by celebrity Bill Murray, who stood at the White House briefing-room podium wearing Cubs gear. Today’s Cubs event occurred on Martin Luther King Day, less than a week after President Obama delivered his farewell address from Chicago.
No curses today, no black cats, no wet gloves, no deflecting fans. Not even mentions of next year. Just the realization of the most hopeful fanbase in professional sports and a Chicago politician who defied the odds to serve two terms as President.
-Brad Wolvin
