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February 27, 2008
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
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