By David Nakamura and David Nakamura Reporter covering the White House Email Bio Follow Ashley Parker Ashley Parker White House reporter Email Bio Follow May 9 at 10:44 AM BALTIMORE — It was an iconic baseball celebration: Boston Red Sox catcher Christian Vázquez leaping into the arms of pitcher Chris Sale after the final out of the World Series last fall, teammates in perfect unison.
“It really shows the divide and the place we’re in in our country,” said the retired figure skater Adam Rippon, who won bronze at the Winter Olympics last year but did not participate in Team USA’s visit to the White House. On Twitter, Rippon, who is gay, declared he would “not stand with” an administration he said is willing to “discriminate against those that they perceive as different.”
Entire teams, such as the University of Virginia men’s basketball squad this month, have declined invitations, while the White House has not extended offers to some women’s teams, including two WNBA champions, which have typically been on the list. “It’s like he opened Pandora’s box,” said de Lavallade, who had performed for President Lyndon B. Johnson. She cited Trump’s equivocations in denouncing the marchers in a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville for prompting her decision.
Red Sox President Sam Kennedy said the organization decided after winning the 2004 World Series that it would adopt an “apolitical” position and accept invitations to the White House based on respect for the institution. Most players showed up in 2005 and 2008 to meet President George W. Bush and in 2014 to meet President Barack Obama.
Cora has been dogged by questions, and he said before the game Wednesday that he was done addressing the matter. The players “know how I feel,” he told reporters. “We just put it to rest.” In Boston, the racial division has threatened to erode some of the good feeling from last year and hearken the team’s troubled history with segregation. The Red Sox were the last Major League franchise to desegregate, in 1957, under their longtime owner Tom Yawkey.
At times, players drifted into small groups. Four white players began a card game, while Vázquez and Eduardo Rodriguez, a Venezuelan native who also will not visit the White House, conversed in Spanish.
Cora is a little victim.
Lo que unió el esfuerzo, el equipo y el campeonato que no lo desuna una invitación, para lalatademaiz pitcheossalvaje y alacontra_es
This guy Trump is truly a empty shell,please vote him out of office and the republicans who have supported all of his criminal activity .
Socks*
Cutting Edge Division I mean Journalism
The RedSox are dead to me for attending. Screw them!!
The US needs to cut off all aid to Puerto Rico. Those ungrateful idiots don't appreciate it. That's our money!!!!
With the racist proclivity of Trump, the Red Sox as a team should of decline the invite from this White House. Their acceptance in a way means condoning of Trump’s behavior.
And they should all stand in solidarity with their brothers!
does that mean, like trump, the RedSox white players are racist? ac13alex
Sad and shameful. 🙁🥺
Let's make a big deal out of every cuck that doesn't want to meet the President.
The left was upset when Tim Thomas refused to go because of Obama. He was wrong and these Red Sox players are wrong. It's about the team, not your political views.
Why go? To pose with the dictator and eat greasy fast food? Nope.
Who freaking cares!!!
Of all the news of the day, this is hardly news.
rev_dobson I support the players on RedSox that are saying “Thanks but no thanks” to this divisive president. 👍🏻 GoCubs
Nothing more 'un-American' than forced compliance. Respect the choice of those who choose not to attend. Or is that 'privilege' not everyone? 'Land of the Free' right?
Red socks.
*Socks
Lmao *eye roll*
They're going to be missing out on all the great greasy cold fast food he's going to lay out for them... cold hamberders you guys...it's all free
Fixed it for you: 'The moment we’re in': United as baseball champions, Boston Red Sox are divided by PUTIN READ THE FCKING MUELLER REPORT READ THE FCKING INDICTMENTS DO YOUR FCKING JOB
What ever happened to solidarity?
You mean divided by the media
This division is Trump's doing not the Boston Red Sox team players.
Lol toddlers everywhere.
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