Cubs return to White House before tilt vs. Nats
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WASHINGTON -- The Cubs made their second trip to the White House this year, presenting President Donald Trump with a No. 45 from the Wrigley Field scoreboard as well as a gold-lettered jersey on Wednesday.
Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts, his brother, Todd -- who was a candidate for deputy commerce secretary -- and general manager Jed Hoyer joined manager Joe Maddon and more than a dozen players.
"It was quick and entertaining and a good moment," Maddon said. "It's one of those things, 10, 15 years from now, it'll be very entertaining to show the grandchildren as they're attending fine universities around the United States."
Among the Cubs players who made the trip were Jon Lester, Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Albert Almora Jr., Felix Peña, Jeimer Candelario, Mike Montgomery, John Lackey, Jon Jay, Ian Happ, Willson Contreras and Mark Zagunis. Maddon's coaching staff also was present.
"It's not every day you get to meet the President of the United States, and to meet two in one calendar year for me is pretty special," Almora said.
According to a press pool report of the meeting, Trump congratulated the Cubs on their 2016 World Series championship.
"This is a great team, and they were actually here, but they wanted to be here with Trump, right?" Trump said. "I want to thank and I want to congratulate them. Who's the best hitter?"
Rizzo invited Trump to the game, telling him Nationals Park was "right down the street."
The Cubs met with President Barack Obama in January a few days before the 44th president left office, taking part in a formal ceremony in the East Room. This visit was a little different.
"I've never been in the Oval Office before, I'd never been by the Rose Garden before," Hoyer said. "That was a pretty cool life experience. It's always an honor when you get asked to go to the White House. Regardless of your politics, it's a place all Americans should be impressed by. There's a lot of history in that place, and to be asked to be there is not something you should take for granted."