01/22/2004 4:20 PM ET

Champs set for White House visit

Marlins to meet President Bush on Friday

By Tom Singer / MLB.com

 

They've already hoisted the Commissioner's Trophy. They'll get the rings in early April.

But on Friday afternoon, the Florida Marlins will revel in the most extraordinary spoils of their World Series victory: a visit with President George W. Bush in the White House.

 

President Bush will greet the champs in the East Room, continuing an Open (White) House tradition of saluting World Series winners.

 

This will be familiar territory for Bush, the former co-owner of the Texas Rangers who indeed is the nation's First Fan.

 

Surrounded by a Marlins traveling party of 150-plus, President Bush will have a "Well done!" for a club which stunned the baseball world by getting off the mat of five straight losing seasons to claim its second World Series title in seven years.

 

And the Marlins will have a customized No. 1 jersey for the President.

 

The occasion will mark a unique one-day reunion for two key contributors to the championship season no longer with the Marlins: first baseman Derrek Lee, since dealt to the Chicago Cubs, and free-agent catcher Ivan Rodriguez will join their former teammates in accepting the President's congratulations.

 

The Marlins' contingent will be headed by club chairman Jeffrey Loria, club president David Samson and general manager Admin Beinfest. It will include front office personnel and families of the true headliners, the players.

 

World Series MVP Josh Beckett, veterans Mike Lowell and Jeff Conine, and the rest of the gang will be there, led by National League Manager of the Year Jack McKeon and his cigar.

 

Being in the White House for a special reception is the last place McKeon expected to find himself just eight months ago, when he was dropping bait in North Carolina.

 

Then a phone call from Beinfest brought him out of retirement, and set the Marlins off on the strange, wonderful trip that concludes Friday afternoon in the White House.

 

Tom Singer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to approval by Major League Baseball or its clubs.

George likes Pudge too much not to insist he come along. Perhaps he can talk some sense into him and tell him to stick with a winning team. :thumbup

I wonder if W will admit to the Marlins he was cheering for the Cubs in the NLCS? I hope Beckett reminds him of this. Pudge naturally will make this trip. The next four years Pudge will be in Detroit, and never come close to making a championship visit to Washington. Have fun Pudge. Enjoy Detroit. It's nice up there this time of year.

Heck, it will be colder in DC tomorrow than it will ever be at a Tigers home game (remember they stop playin in September.)

Then a phone call from Beinfest brought him out of retirement, and set the Marlins off on the strange, wonderful trip that concludes Friday afternoon in the White House.

 

 

 

Thats where your wrong Tom. It will continue on this year... :thumbup

They've already hoisted the Commissioner's Trophy. They'll get the rings in early April.

But on Friday afternoon, the Florida Marlins will revel in the most extraordinary spoils of their World Series victory: a visit with President George W. Bush in the White House.

Is he kidding?

 

I'd take my World Championship ring over a handshake with President Bush personally.

I'd take my World Championship ring over a handshake with President Bush personally.

You aren't alone. I would too.

I'd take my World Championship ring over a handshake with President Bush personally.

You aren't alone. I would too. May I join your forces of world series ring first, president Bush later?

 

 

 

President Bush Says: "Every time a team beats the Texas Rangers they must pay a fourteen million dollar fine."

(Courtesy of my republican parent)

Did anyone see Bush speaking about the Marlins when the met today?

 

He cracked some funny jokes about Mckeon's age and how Texas Rangers helped the Marlins win the WS. It was on Channel 10 around 5 today.

Did anyone see Bush speaking about the Marlins when the met today?

 

He cracked some funny jokes about Mckeon's age and how Texas Rangers helped the Marlins win the WS. It was on Channel 10 around 5 today.

Hopefully they will repeat it on the evening news.

or on SportsCenter

Also, CBS 4 interviewed Niner. They also showed Manny Diaz and Jeb Bush were there. Georgie also mentioned Pudge's prediction last year and he said, "Anything fo 2004?" Oh yea, and Trader Jack gave Bush a cigar. :thumbup So Jack. LOL I love that guy!