WASHINGTON, July 25 (UPI) -- The San Francisco Giants Monday were at the White House Monday for the perk afforded national sports champions -- a chance to meet the president.
The 2010 World Series winners received praise from President Barack Obama and in return gave him a jersey (No. 44), a bat signed by team members and a glove, accented not with the Giants' colors but silver and black -- those of the White Sox in Obama's home town of Chicago.
Obama congratulated Bill Neukom, head of team's ownership group, and club President Larry Baer "for building such an extraordinary franchise."
Obama noted it had been 56 years since San Francisco had won the World Series, back when Willie Mays, who also attended Monday's festivities, was on the team, and that even current Manager Bruce Bochy had once called his team "a bunch of 'misfits and castoffs.'"
"Or as [General Manager] Brian Sabean put it, 'We've got a lot of characters with a lot of character.'" the president said.
Obama singled out a few, including pitcher Tim Lincecum.
"Nobody thought somebody that skinny with that violent a delivery could survive without just flying apart," he said. "But now, with two Cy Youngs under his belt, everybody understands why he's called 'The Freak.'
"Before Game 5 last year, Tim was so relaxed he was singing in the clubhouse. That's how his teammates knew they were about to see something special. And after watching him pitch eight incredible innings -- including a stretch of 11 strikes in a row -- America learned sometimes it's a good idea to bet on the skinny guy. So, you and me," he said referring to his own slight build.
Obama also credited the team for remembering its roots in Brooklyn and noted members of team have "made a point of giving back -- whether it's supporting wounded warriors and their families, or becoming the first professional sports team to join the 'It Gets Better' campaign against bullying."
"So that's what this team is all about: characters with character," he said. "And so once again I want to congratulate this team and wish them all the best of luck in the rest of the season -- unless the White Sox are in the World Series."
