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Sox, trophy welcomed at White House / Photo, video

AP photo / Charles Dharapak
President Bush shakes hands with Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, holding the World Series trophy, as pitchers Daisuke Matsuzaka and Curt Schilling, and manager Terry Francona look on during a ceremony today honoring the 2007 champions on the South Lawn of the White House.

WASHINGTON -- A high spirited President Bush and several hundred members of Red Sox Nation braved arctic winds on the White House South Lawn this afternoon to welcome the 2007 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox.

The First Fan -- President Bush -- clearly in his element among owners and players of the Sox -- paid tribute to individual stars with several humorous jabs at them and at himself.

Bush welcomed "Dice-K" -- Daisuke Matsuzaka -- and told the crowd, which included a large contingent of Japanase reporters, "His press corps is bigger than mine. We both have trouble answering questions in English."

It was the team's second trip to the White House in recent years. Many of the players also attended a ceremony in the spring of 2005, months after the Sox won the 2004 World Series.

The president also got a big laugh by noting the absence of Manny Ramirez and joking that the slugger's grandmother "must have died again."

But as is his custom at these White House gatherings of champions from beyond the world of politics, Bush also made some serious points about the value of teamwork and diligent effort.

He also noted that members of the Red Sox planned after the White House celebration to visit wounded warriors at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. "Thank you for really honoring the true heroes of America," Bush told the players.

As the ceremony wound down, a military band struck up "Sweet Caroline," the number traditionally played during the seventh-inning stretch at Fenway Park.

And as the champions walked up the stairway to the Truman Balcony of the White House, a chant rose up from the crowd, "Let's go Red Sox!"

Video: See a clip of the White House ceremony today.
-- John Mulligan of the Journal Washington Bureau

Posted by Andrea Panciera  at 4:12 PM | Permalink

Sox get dressed up for trip to D.C.

AP photo / Brita Meng Outzen
Jacoby Ellsbury, Jonathan Papelbon and David Ortiz get set to board a bus in Fort Myers on their way to Washington, D.C., and a meeting today with President Bush.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 2:40 PM | Permalink

Colon Update

AP photo / Brita Meng Outzen
Bartolo Colon jokes around today with new teammates Manny Ramirez, Davern Hansack, Julio Lugo and David Ortiz.

With the help of Duncan Webb, the Red Sox' Latin Education Coordinator, Bartolo Colon answered questions for about five minutes this morning. Webb translated for Colon, who has never felt comfortable with his English.

Some highlights:

* Colon will throw a bullpen Tuesday and said he expects to appear in a game March 9 -- a week from Sunday, though it's unclear whether that would be a camp game against some minor leaguers or in Vero Beach, where the Sox are scheduled that day to play the Los Angeles Dodgers.

* He said he chose the Sox because of their ``aggressive'' approach toward him and an opportunity to pitch.

* Colon is motivated to show that he can still pitch at an elite level.

``A lot of teams (were) saying I couldn't pitch,'' he said, ``so I'm taking this opoprtunity to show I can.''

* He said the presence of David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez and other fellow Dominicans was a factor in his signing with the Sox, citing the ``strong group of Latino players'' in the Sox clubhouse.

* After experiencing shoulder problems in 2006 and elbow issues last year, he said his arm ``feels good. I just need to prepare to the point where it feels strong.''

Posted by Sean McAdam  at 11:44 AM | Permalink

Hello, He Must Be Going

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Freddy Garcia visited camp early this morning, but he didn't remain here long and it's not likely he'll be coming back.

Garcia was examined by the Red Sox medical staff this morning, a trip that was planned before the Sox came to terms with fellow free agent, Bartolo Colon.

Garcia missed half of last season, undergoing shoulder surgery last August. He probably won't be able to pitch until after the All-Star break and the Sox' invitation was a matter of them performing some due diligence in the event that Garcia could help out in the second half of the season.

He's been unable to land a deal elsewhere, having visited a number of camps -- including the Mets -- in the last week or so.

Posted by Sean McAdam  at 10:02 AM | Permalink

Live video of congressional hearing on drugs in sports

Through AP Video, we will have live coverage of today's hearings in the House of Representatives on drug use in sports. The hearings will begin at 9:30; go to this link to watch.

Expected to testify: Former Sen. George Mitchell; MLB Commissioner Bud Selig; NBA Commissioner David Stem; MLB Players Association Executive Director Donald Fehr; NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell; NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman; NFLPA Executive Director Gene Upshaw; NHLPA Executive Director Paul Kelly; USOC Executive Director Jim Scheer; U.S. Anti Doping Agency CEO Travis Tygart; NCAA President Myles Brand; Robert Kanaby, Executive Director, National Federation of State High School Associations; Alexander Waldrop, CEO, National Throughbred Racing Association.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 9:27 AM | Permalink

Live video of Sox' trip to the White House

Weather-permitting, we plan to have a live video feed of the ceremony on the South Lawn today, when the MLB champion Red Sox meet President Bush. Check this link today at 3 p.m., when the ceremony is scheduled to start, to access the feed.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 7:55 AM | Permalink