News Local/State

World Series Champion Cubs Honored At The White House

by Jeff Bossert
 
President Barack Obama holds up a personalized Chicago Cubs baseball jersey presented to him for a group photo during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, where the president honored the 2016 World Series Champion bas

President Barack Obama holds up a personalized Chicago Cubs baseball jersey presented to him for a group photo during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, where the president honored the 2016 World Series Champion baseball team. Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP

In one of his final events before leaving office, President Barack Obama honored the World Series Champion Chicago Cubs at the White House Monday. Flanked by several Cubs players, past players and coaches, Obama said sports has the power to bring people together and change attitudes.

“There’s a direct line between Jackie Robinson and me standing here," he said. "There’s a direct line between people loving Ernie Banks, and the city being able to come together and work together in one spirit.”

Obama's allegiance to the Chicago White Sox is well known, but he noted that wife Michelle is a lifelong Cubs fan. Obama says the First Lady told a story of what Monday meant to her, watching  Cubs games with her father while growing up, and the bond that it created.

"I almost choked up listening to it, and it spoke, I think, to how people feel about this organization," he said. "And that it's been passed on generation after generation. And it's more than just sports."

The Cubs won their first World Series title since 1908 by defeating the pitching-depleted Cleveland Indians in seven games.