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WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden mentioned Monday the Atlanta Braves will probably be “without end referred to as the upset kings of October” for his or her unbelievable 2021 World Collection win, as he welcomed the group to the White Home for a victory celebration.
Biden known as the sequence an “unstoppable, joyful run.” The group acquired its White Home victory go to in with simply over every week left earlier than the 2022 common season wraps up and playoffs start once more. The Braves are 1½ video games out first place within the Nationwide League East. Chief government officer Terry McGuirk mentioned he hoped they’d be again to the White Home quickly.
In August 2021, the Braves had been a large number, enjoying barely at .500. However then they began profitable. And so they stored doing it, clinching the World Collection in six video games over the Houston Astros.
Biden known as their come-from-behind win one among “historical past’s best turnarounds.”
“This group has actually been a part of American historical past for over 150 years,” Biden mentioned. “However none of it got here straightforward … folks counting you out. Heck, I do know one thing about being counted out.”
Gamers lined up on risers behind Biden, grinning and waving to the group, however the participant most mentioned was one who hasn’t been on the group in almost 50 years and who died final yr: Corridor of Famer Hank Aaron.
Hammerin’ Hank was the house run king for 33 years, dethroning Babe Ruth with a homer to heart area on April 8, 1974. He was one of the vital well-known gamers for Atlanta and in baseball historical past, a vocal and clear-eyed chronicler of the various hardships thrown his means — from the poverty and segregation of his Alabama youth to the racist threats he confronted throughout his pursuit of one among America’s most hallowed information. He died in January 2021 at age 86.
“This group is outlined by the braveness of Hank Aaron,” Biden mentioned.
McGuirk mentioned Aaron, who held front-office positions with the group and was one among Main League Baseball’s few Black executives, was watching over them.
“He’d have been there each step of the way in which with us if he was right here,” McGuirk mentioned.
The president usually honors skilled and faculty sports activities champions with a White Home ceremony, usually a nonpartisan affair wherein the commander in chief pays tribute to the champs’ prowess, poses for pictures and comes away with a group jersey.
These visits had been extremely charged within the earlier administration. Many athletes took subject with President Donald Trump’s insurance policies on policing, immigration and extra.
Underneath Biden, the custom seems to be again. He has hosted the NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks and Tremendous Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the White Home. Biden on Monday joked about First Girl Jill Biden’s Philadelphia allegiances.
“Like each Philly fan, she’s satisfied she is aware of extra about all the things in sports activities than anyone else,” he mentioned. He added that he could not be too good to the Atlanta group as a result of it had simply overwhelmed the Phillies the earlier night time in additional innings.
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