WASHINGTON -- United States President Joe Biden praised the Astros for beating his Phillies in last year’s World Series, joking that now he won’t be welcomed back in Philadelphia anymore, before turning his attention to 74-year-old Houston manager Dusty Baker during the team’s visit to the White House on Monday.

“Dusty, it wasn’t easy,” said Biden, who turns 81 years old in November. “People counted you out, saying you’re past your prime. Hell, I know something about that.”

The trip to the White House to celebrate the Astros’ 2022 World Series championship -- the first for Baker in his 25th season as a manager -- was filled with laughs and memories. It was a repeat visit for a handful of Houston’s players and coaches, including third baseman Alex Bregman and pitcher Justin Verlander, who wore a gold suit for the occasion.

In a brief ceremony in the East Room, Astros players, coaches and owner Jim Crane and his wife, Whitney, were honored by Biden, who was presented with a No. 46 Astros gold jersey with his name. The Astros brought the Commissioner’s Trophy and a contingent of more than 100 people to the White House, including members of the front office and other staffers.

In an interview with MLB.com after the ceremony, Crane called it a “special day.”

"We took a lot more staff there this time,” he said. “It's nice to have people that work hard in the ballpark that don't get a lot of recognition to see something like that. It's special to win, it's hard to win and you've got to savor the moment."

Bregman, who went with the Astros to the White House in March 2018 after winning the 2017 World Series, said coming back a second time is incredible.

“Hopefully, we can play well enough to come back here next year,” he said. “There’s incredible history here. It’s a place you dream about going as a kid, and to be able to come here is very special.”

Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña, who was born in the Dominican Republic, said Latin American players usually only get to see the White House in movies. He said being inside was “surreal.”

“It was very exciting,” he said. “A visit to the White House has always been on my bucket list. I can finally check that off, but the hospitality was great and it’s not every day you get to meet the President of the United States. It was awesome.”

Biden even gave Peña a shoutout at the podium for being named the Most Valuable Player of last year’s World Series as a rookie.

“I didn’t know it was part of the script, but it was pretty cool,” he said.

Said Bregman: “Everything was first class. Even the lemonade was delicious. The best lemonade I ever had in my life.”

Biden spoke about how the Astros swept through the American League playoffs last year to get to the World Series and lauded the club for its community involvement off the field. He applauded the Astros for raising awareness for domestic violence, supporting kids with cancer and for their efforts to help the city of Uvalde, Texas, following last year’s Robb Elementary school shooting that took 21 lives.

“I spent a lot of time in Uvalde and met every single family,” Biden said. “I made sure I met every single, solitary family and spent time with them. … I think you athletes don’t know how much hope you give. It’s not a joke. It’s not hyperbole. … When you guys decided to roll up and take 300 of these kids and their families to a ballgame, it gave them hope. It’s outstanding what you do.”

The charming Baker, who’s met several Presidents in his lifetime and even had lunch with Barack Obama in the White House in 2016, got huge applause when he got to the podium. He thanked the President for his hospitality and told the crowd about the team’s perseverance and will to win.

“These guys standing behind me are the greatest guys I’ve been around,” he said. “They always believe in themselves, prior to me even coming here, that they had the ability to win, and they showed what perseverance and character can do for you.”

Baker didn’t leave Washington without hinting at a possible return trip in 2024.

“The way we came together was a special feeling that was tough to describe, and it’s harder to repeat,” he said. “And we plan to repeat.”