Obama wants Chicago Cubs to visit White House before he leaves

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- President Barack Obama invited the World Series champions Chicago Cubs to the White House before he leaves office at the beginning of the year.

Obama is a Chicago resident and fan of the city's other baseball team, the White Sox, who play on the city's "south side." He sent his congratulations and the invitation in a Twitter message.

"It happened: @Cubs win World Series. That's change even this South Sider can believe in. Want to come to the White House before I leave?"

The Cubs defeated the Cleveland Indians early Thursday, 8-7, in a 10-inning game which included a rain delay. It was the Cubs' first World Series appearance since 1945 and its first World Series triumph since 1908.

While a visit to the White House by sports champions is common, Obama will leave office Jan. 20, 2017, and his message suggests he would prefer not to leave the honor to his successor.