The New York Yankees visit Obama

During the New York Yankees' off-day before their series with the Baltimore Orioles, the team paid a courtesy call on US President Barack Obama. In a 30-minute ceremony where the President, a Chisox fan, gave a speech that extolled the virtues of being a Yankee, the White House's East Room was packed with members of the Cabinet and Congress. And even if only for a few minutes, everyone was a baseball fan.

Said the Prez: "It has been nine years since your last title (in 2000) which must have felt like an eternity. Some teams would love a spell like that... like the (Chicago) Cubs."

Incidentally, the Yankees' Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, and Andy Pettitte, have been to the White House five times and have met three American Presidents -- Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Obama. That Core Four used to be the Fab Five but Bernie Williams retired a few years ago (he did come up to the team in the early 90's ahead of his other teammates).

And I thought it was real swell for the Yanks to visit the Walter Reed Hospital that treats injured and wounded servicemen. The soldiers were said to appreciate the visit even the few Red Sox fans among them who made sure they wore their caps.