Rangers' visit to White House as champions gets Creed treatment
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WASHINGTON -- A little over 50 years ago, the Washington Senators relocated to Arlington, Texas, and became the Texas Rangers.
On Thursday afternoon, the Rangers returned to the nation’s capital for a day, this time to celebrate the first World Series championship in franchise history, between 10 years in Washington and another 52 in Texas.
General manager Chris Young, manager Bruce Bochy and Rangers players, coaches and staff from the 2023 team flew to Washington on Wednesday evening to celebrate with President Joe Biden on Thursday.
“Dallas-Fort Worth, the entire Metroplex, you’re used to winning championships, I notice that,” Biden said, referencing the titles of the Cowboys, Mavericks and Stars. “From football, to basketball to hockey, many doubters wondered if baseball would ever join them. Well, to paraphrase Corey Seager, ‘I guess we do know.’”
The Rangers were able to take a tour of the White House, with the Commissioner’s Trophy on hand for pictures afterwards. In the ceremony in the East Room, Biden praised World Series MVP Seager, ALCS MVP Adolis García and postseason pitching hero Nathan Eovaldi for their efforts throughout Texas’ postseason run.
Biden also referenced how the Rangers lost the AL West title on the final day of the regular season, prompting a cross-country flight and the lack of home-field advantage throughout the postseason.
“From finding it hard to make the postseason to finally winning the first title, I think there’s a word y’all embody: resilience,” Biden said. “You’re a hell of a resilient club, man. You never gave up. You never, never gave up. You kept the faith. Like your favorite band Creed, you took each other higher and higher.”
The visit began with a reference to that song that became the team's mantra throughout the postseason, as a classical version of "Higher" played while they walked into the White House.
Biden also noted the support the Rangers’ give the community, from the club’s advocacy of veterans in Texas to Latin American history and culture and everything in between.
At the end of the ceremony, Bochy presented Biden with a gold-trimmed Rangers jersey with the No. 46 sewn on the back, and a pair of custom Texas Rangers cowboy boots.
“The opportunity to be honored here at the White House by the President of the United States is the continuation of what has been the most successful and historic season in the history of the Texas Rangers baseball club,” Young said to close out the day. “The character of this team and the resilience they demonstrated will forever define the 2023 Texas Rangers. These players made history and forever changed the perception of our franchise.”
This is the fourth time that Bochy has visited the White House as the defending World Series champion manager following trips with the San Francisco Giants in 2011, 2013 and 2015, all with former President Barack Obama.
“My best memory was probably the first one,” Bochy said on Wednesday, ahead of the Rangers’ series finale against the Astros. “I had been there before, going to school in Northern Virginia on field trips. But to go as part of baseball tradition, winning the World Series, it was really cool for me. I remember me and President Obama were just talking baseball. It was pretty cool.”
But a trip to the White House was a first for many players, though Seager went following the Dodgers’ win in 2020 and Eovaldi went following the Red Sox’s in ‘18.
“We’re just thankful for the opportunity to be here and represent the Rangers,” Eovaldi said. “It was awesome [in 2019]. I was able to represent the Red Sox at the time, and it feels like the first time again. I’ve been able to be in some of those rooms, and to come back in there, it’s like ‘Wow.’ It goes by so fast, it’s hard to take it all in.
“It feels special. It’s cool being able to talk to everybody inside. It feels like everybody has their own piece of history. It’s an awesome experience. We’re just trying to soak it all in.”
Second baseman Marcus Semien said his father pointed out to him that he would be the first member of his entire family to get close to the White House, much less get the all-inclusive tour that the Rangers received on Thursday.
“It’s special, especially for the guys whose first time it is,” Semien said. “I know Evo got to come here after they won in 2018. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and to do it as a World Series champion makes it even more special. Everybody seems really excited, and we’re just amazed at everything inside.
“For me [the best part] was just seeing the White House from the outside, and then having that view from the inside, looking out at the Washington Monument. It’s just an iconic view.”