Biden welcomes World Series champion Atlanta Braves to the White House

CNN
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President Joe Biden welcomed the Atlanta Braves to the White House on Monday, celebrating their 2021 World Series championship win with an event in the East Room.

The Braves beat the Houston Astros in six games to win the Major League Baseball championship last November. It marked the Braves’ first title since 1995.

The president, at the White House event, said the team « never gave up » and « never backed down », becoming « one of the greatest turnarounds in history – the first title in 26 years ».

“But none of this has been easy. People counted you out,” Biden said, adding, “Damn, I know something about being counted.

Terry McGuirk, president of the Braves, told the crowd that « this group never gives up. »

McGuirk also paid tribute to legendary Braves player and Hall of Famer Hank Aaron, who died in January 2021.

“We still think we had a special angel watching over us, our recently deceased friend Hank Aaron pulling the strings from above. There is no doubt that Hank was part of what we did and he would have been with us every step of the way with us if he was here,” McGuirk said.

As tradition dictates, the president received a Braves jersey that read « BIDEN 46 » on the back.

Atlanta Braves players, owners, executives and staff — as well as elected state and local leaders — were on hand for the event, the White House said. Notably, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who now oversees the White House’s Office of Public Engagement, was in attendance.

Biden hosted the 2020 World Series champions Los Angeles Dodgers at the White House in July 2021. Their reception marked the return of the traditional White House championship visit after being interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic .

Trips by professional sports teams to the White House have long been a tradition, with league champions often having the chance to visit 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue after their victory.