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A20 SPORTS
Tuesday 5 November 2019

World Series champ Nationals take celebration to White House

By STEPHEN WHYNO four years of his contract er had this many people on
AP Sports Writer but could re-sign for a more the front lawn of the White
WASHINGTON (AP) — Presi- lucrative deal. Fans chant- House." The White House
dent Donald Trump mostly ed "Four more years! Four estimated an attendance
stuck to sports on Monday more years" at Strasburg. of 5,300.
while honoring the World Despite Suzuki trading in The U.S. Marine Corps
Series champion Washing- the Nationals' curly "W'' for band played the team into
ton Nationals, who had a Trump's signature hat and the ceremony with "Baby
handful of players skip the Zimmerman thanking the Shark," which became the
White House visit. president for keeping the Nationals' unofficial theme
Amid an impeachment country safe and making it song as they went from 17-
inquiry on Capitol Hill and the best on earth, the Na- 31 in May to World Series
Washington feting its first tionals' visit did not have as champions. After Trump
Major League Baseball much political undertone singled out Strasburg, Ken-
champion since 1924, as when the 2018 cham- drick, pitcher Aníbal Sán-
Trump hugged Kurt Suzuki First lady Melania Trump, Washington Nationals infielder Ryan pion Boston Red Sox visited chez and other playoff
after the catcher put on Zimmerman, and President Donald Trump arrive for an event to the White House. They did heroes, players exited with
a "Make America Great honor the 2019 World Series Champion Washington Nationals, so without manager Alex the World Series trophy to
Again" hat. Trump received on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, Nov. 4, 2019, in Cora, who did not attend the strains of "We Are The
a No. 45 Nationals jersey Washington. that ceremony after cit- Champions."
from first baseman Ryan Associated Press ing his frustration with the The Nationals' White House
Zimmerman, applauding baseball more." Reliever lor, and pitchers Joe Ross, administration's efforts to visit was the latest stop on
the team's first title and call- Sean Doolittle, who along Javy Guerra and Wander help his native Puerto Rico their whirlwind victory tour
ing it a "comeback story for with his wife has worked Suero. Principal owner Mark recover from a devastating around the nation's capi-
the ages." with Syrian refugees and Lerner was the only mem- hurricane. tal after coming back from
"Everyone fell in love with military veterans and sup- ber of the ownership group Washington manager a 3-2 series deficit to beat
Nats baseball," Trump said ports gay rights, did not at- listed as attending. Dave Martinez, whose par- the Houston Astros in Game
during the half-hour cer- tend the event. Also among Eighteen of the 25 play- ents are Puerto Rican, was 7 last week. The team pa-
emony on the South Lawn those not listed as attend- ers on Washington's World in attendance and made raded down Constitution
attended by thousands of ing were National League Series roster were in atten- some brief remarks to the Avenue on Saturday and
fans. "That's all they wanted MVP candidate Anthony dance, including World Se- delight of fans and players. celebrated at the Washing-
to talk about — that and Rendon, outfielders Victor ries MVP Stephen Strasburg, Trump called it a record ton Capitals hockey game
impeachment. I like Nats Robles and Michael A. Tay- who opted out of the final crowd, saying, "We've nev- Sunday night.q