The Red Sox will be visiting President Bush and the White House on Wednesday. The Sox will be appearing on the South Lawn at around 3 pm.

As a dedicated Rooter, I have selflessly volunteered myself to be your personal correspondent. I will be in attendance and will provide a few report...and maybe some pictures if I get some decent ones.

NESN may be covering live, I'll check and see.

I too will be in attendance, camera in hand.

That said, with the amount of expected rain on Tuesday, there is a very good chance that the ground conditions on Wednesday cause cancellation of the event.

I know. And that would really suck.

By the way...if this happens, we'll have to finally find each other in person. I'll pm you.

Get some good pics guys!

I so hope for pics and updates.

I can't wait to see MFL's horns.

I'm not taking pictures of ME, you moron. As for horns, I'll see if I can get big schill for you. He's a big McCain fan, you know.

Now I can't speak for RSN...who knows what torch he's been carrying. I do appear in his sig, after all.

The Boston Red Sox: Sending George Bush out on a high note!

Well, I'll be taking pictures of MFL, but they're for my personal spank bank. SSA gets nuthin'.

Weather here is kind of crappy, but the rain has been light and is supposed to taper off later. So while the South Lawn won't be pretty, it will probably be dry enough for this event to happen. w00t.

High??!! Not again, I thought he was done with that stuff!

It'd be an understatement to say that I'm jealous.

I'll post up more later. It was a lot of fun. The President had obviously followed the team and made a really funny crack about Manny. Also said about Dice-K "he has more media following him than I do." I'll post the text.

The players came out of the second floor portico. Oritz came out first holding the trophy looking quite dapper. He hammed it up the whole time. On the way back in, Beckett got up there and turned and did the Nixon "V" sign which was pretty funny.

Many of the Congressional delegation was present--did not see Kerry, but Kennedy was there. Another of Administration folks from NE too.

After his speech, the President shook hands with each member of the team. He spent the most time talking to Timlin, Schilling, Beckett, Lester and Papelbon.

I also finally got a chance to meet RSN Diaspora.

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
IN PHOTO OPPORTUNITY WITH THE
2007 WORLD CHAMPION BOSTON RED SOX

South Lawn

3:08 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Welcome. Thank you for coming. Please be seated. So Tim Wakefield's batterymate is Doug Mirabelli -- mine is the Vice President. (Laughter.) We're glad you all are here. The Mighty Red Sox Nation has stormed the South Lawn. (Applause.)

It's my honor to welcome the owners of the Red Sox. The principal owner is John Henry; Tom Werner is the chairman; and my longtime buddy, Larry Lucchino. Thank you all for coming, and congratulations. (Applause.) We appreciate the other owners who are here as well. I'm proud to be here with Terry Francona; the captain of the Mighty Red Sox, Jason Varitek -- (applause) -- the MVP of the World Series, Mike Lowell -- (applause.) They're mentioned because I'm trying to entice a gift out of them. (Laughter.)

We appreciate very much members of the administration who are here -- don't linger. (Laughter.) Welcome to members of the United States Congress -- Massachusetts and Connecticut and probably Rhode Island -- (applause) -- yes. (Laughter.) Thanks for coming.

I'm real proud for the Red Sox Baseball Club, its players, the players' families, all those associated with this unbelievably successful franchise. You know, you've -- Red Sox Nation extends beyond the South Lawn, extends beyond New England -- it obviously goes to the Caribbean and even the Far East. So we welcome Japan's Daisuke here to the South Lawn. (Applause.) His press corps is bigger than mine. (Laughter.) And we both have trouble answering questions in English. (Laughter and applause.)

2007 was an unforgettable season -- fast start, hung on in the end, swept the Angels, had a little trouble with the Indians, but battled back from what a lot of folks were saying sure defeat, and you took on Colorado and swept them. Like, you're 8-0 in the World Series. And I appreciate the fact that, as I mentioned, Mike Lowell put on an outstanding performance. But it was a team effort that brought the Red Sox here.

I love the fact that you've got some of the game's biggest stars. I mean, "Big Papi," the guy lights up the screen. He brings a great personality -- (applause.) I'm sorry his running mate, Manny Ramirez, isn't here. I guess his grandmother died again. (Laughter.) Just kidding. (Laughter.) Tell Manny I didn't mean it. But I do want to quote him. He said, "When you don't feel good, and you still get hits, that's when you know you're a bad man." (Laughter.) I don't know what that means. (Laughter.) But if bad man means good hitter, he's a really bad man, because he was clutch in the World Series and clutch in the playoffs. As was my fellow Texan, Josh Beckett. (Applause.) Man, you're looking sharp. (Applause.)

MR. BECKETT: A lot better than last time?

THE PRESIDENT: Spring, Texas?

MR. BECKETT: Yes.

THE PRESIDENT: Spring, Texas. He's a big-game pitcher. He struck out -- nine strikeouts a game in the playoffs. I appreciate very much that he works hard and throws hard, and is a proven winner. And I guess he took some lessons from Curt Schilling, one of the great big-time pitchers. (Applause.)

You can't win the World Series without a good bullpen. I've got to make mention of a guy who is from my hometown of Midland, Texas -- that would be Mike Timlin. Mike, good to see you again. (Applause.) You did not buy those glasses in Midland, Texas. (Laughter.)

MR. TIMLIN: No. (Laughter.)

THE PRESIDENT: And how about Jonathan Papelbon? (Applause.) The guy pitches almost as well as he dances. (Laughter.) And I appreciate the dress code. Thanks for wearing pants. (Laughter.) Good job, and congratulations.

I do want to congratulate the ownership and the front office. This is a club that was wise enough to maintain a core of players that knew how to win. Varitek, Mirabelli, Ortiz, Ramirez, Schilling, Youkilis, Timlin and Wakefield were all members of the 2004 championship team, and they provided the nucleus to bring some new players and some young players along. I bet you Dustin Pedroia, the American League Rookie of the Year, would tell you it makes a big difference. (Applause.) It makes a big difference to be hanging out with people who know how to win.

And so the ownership gets a lot of credit, the front office gets credit, and so does a really fine manager in Terry Francona. (Applause.) Laura and I had the honor of having Mike Lowell and Mrs. Francona and Terry for dinner earlier this month -- earlier this year. And what I was impressed about was the values of this guy, and the fact that he honors his family as the first and foremost thing in his life. And I think the ownership made a good deal in signing him to a new contract. (Applause.)

I appreciate the fact the team has overcome adversity. All of America, whether you're a Red Sox fan or not, was moved by the Jon Lester story. Jon had a decisive victory over cancer, and in the World Series. And it was an inspiration to a lot of folks who were looking at this good man to determine whether they, themselves, could overcome adversity. And so, Jon, we want to thank you and congratulate you. (Applause.)

I don't know if you know this or not, but these good folks are headed to Walter Reed after this celebration, and I -- (applause.) These champs have got a chance to bring some joy in somebody's heart, and I want to thank you for really honoring the true heroes of the United States of America, and those who wear the uniform of our country. And I'm really thankful you're going.

I appreciate the work of the Red Sox Foundation and the Jimmy Fund. These are long-lasting charities that this club is committed to, to help improve people's lives. You can be a champion on the field, and you can be a champion off the field. And a lot of these players are champions off the field.

And I thank you for your commitment. I thank you for your dedication to a great sport. I congratulate and thank your families for hanging in with you in this long, 162-game season. I wish you all the best in the upcoming year, and it's my great honor to welcome you back to the White House as the World Series champs. (Applause.)

END 3:17 P.M. EST

Got to love meetings that keep you from being able to go to things like this. Very, very pissed that I missed this.

Horns, or no? I don't need a photo.

Seriously, you are some lucky mother****ers. Thanks for posting it- Bush is good at photo ops... pretty funny.

I still hate him.

I thought it was a horn, but it turned out to be a massive horse cock. Who knew?

Anyway, while I did get to meet MFL, I didn't get to meet any of the Sox. But I did get some good shots. I'll post more of them as I upload 'em, but here is a random sample:

POTUS getting the jersey:


I wish I had gotten a less blurry shot of this:


Paps, after being mentioned by the POTUS:


POTUS greeting Bobby Kielty. Check out Alex Cora's hawt threads:

Nice pics. I'll see what I got tonight if I can...tried to get Beckett in that pose as well as Papi when he hoisted the trophy over the balcony.

Sorry, James...

Nice that the weather held out...it really wasn't bad out there. Another nice touch..when the President finished, the military band (which one was it) played "Sweet Caroline."

Thanks for posting that, MFL. Bush was very well prepared there. Sounds like a good time was had by all.

The whole joke around the office was "Hey you can go during the Summer when the Patriots go and visit."

Thanks, RSND, and I hope you can post yours, MFL.

You lucky...

Oh, and if MFL has a "massive horse-cock", RSND, then I hope you quizzed him on whatever secret FDA study needs volunteers.

GoNM would appreciate a blind "cc".

Did anybody see any pictures of the Bosox visit to Walter Reed ? I've read where it was private but not sure if there is anything out there.

Thanks

Youk looks like Secret Service in that group shot with Tek presenting the jersey. All he needs is the earpiece, and it's "The eagle has landed. The eagle HAS landed."

Great stuff, lucky bastards. Bush really makes it hard to keep hating him here...

Ok, that passed.

RSN, or MFL, or other alphabet named attendees , I couldn't find JD Drew in any of the pix, here or on SOSH. Was he there, do you know?

Who's standing behind Schilling in that first picture? Is it Lopez?

Yes. He was standing in the far left corner if you were facing the team.

Here you go:

If you haven't been over to check out the SOSH pictures, do it, there are some great fan photos over there too, including this one. Here is just a taste.

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s51/Gvi...0House/wh_5.jpg

Close down the Internet, it's never going to get better than that.

Is that Oki looking orange? Whats with using bronzer?

Yes, thanks, there he is, low key as usual. Hope JD continues this year to make noise with his bat like late last year/post season, or early 2007 would do also. Thanks (MFL too) again for the discussion and pix. SOSH was great too.I've made more than a few business trips to Japan, and, it's most noticeable in the subways where you're looking over the tops of thousands of heads trying to read a sign, they all have jet black hair. Oki with the matinee look.

[/clears throat]

Between Buchholz & Ellsbury?

Ditto for JD Drew.

I read somewhere years ago - -can't remember where - that when Steve Carlton in his final year went to the White House with the Twins after the 87 WS, one of the Minn. newpapers i.d'ed him in a photo caption as "an unidenfied Secret Service agent."


I wonder why Manny didn't go. Was it because he didn't want to go or because he couldn't stomach being around Bush? Of course with Manny being Manny (meaning reclusive around the media) we'll probably never find out.
It must be great for one's psyche to have George W. Bush telling the world that he thinks you are a stupid liar. How frigging ironic is that?

Looks like I did get some good pics so I'll post them when I get a chance.

Manny didn't go in 2004, either---but I don't think he was making a political statement.

Javier Lopez, I believe.

Manny Ramirez Plays With Bush Family Dogs During Red Sox's Entire White House Visit

"WASHINGTON, DC—Although Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez was present for the official team visit to the White House, he did not meet the president due to being preoccupied with rolling on the Rose Garden lawn and playing tug-of-war with Barney, the Bush family's Scottish terrier, the Red Sox organization announced Wednesday."

Some more pics:

Papi with the trophy:


Sen. Kennedy should have a visit to Larry Lucchino's tanning salon:

Checking for a breath, as in fog a mirror? Now that's not nice, ...starving pygmies in New Guinea.

Finally got my photos uploaded.

Here are a few:Me and the Mrs. in front of the Oval Office:

The President messes with Dice-K:

MONEYSHOT!:



Okay, you really need to click on those things...we look totally distorted in the 80 percent image...we're not that ugly!

No, you're even uglier when blown up, but your wife looks much better at 100%! There's a glare on the center of her face that washes her out and makes her look weird, somehow it's more pronounced on the smaller pic....But your ugliness is not remedied with a larger pic!

Great shots MFLetou!

Gee, thanks.

This one didn't come out any better, but its kind of interesting if you look past us because you can see the size of the press corps.



Also, Schill tells Bush how to do things:

Awesome pictures. That must have been great.

MFL, How far were you from the podium? From the pics it looks like only about 25 feet or so.

We were in the seventh row back from the podium. The first two were reserved for Administration officials and Members of Congress. It was a relatively compact setting, so we were not very far back from the podium.