The Yankees visited the White House yesterday in recognition of their World Series victory in 2009.
In a jam-packed ceremony in the East Room that was part pep rally, the president pointed out that the last time the Yankees — winners of 27 titles — were toasted at the White House was 2001.
“It’s been nine years since your last title — which must have felt like eternity for Yankee fans. I think other teams would be just fine with a spell like that. The Cubs, for example,” Obama said, drawing laughs from players, coaches, members of his Cabinet and Congress and other guests. He added that his White Sox have gotten close, including a title in 2005.
Ha ha ha. Obama took a shot at the Cubs. Ha ha ha.
I’m not going to get off on a rant here, but let me just say this: the idea that a sports team needs to go see the President of the United States because they won a title is a little ridiculous and certainly outdated. Was it really necessary for Obama to prepare, give a speech, and actually spend time with a bunch of people who play a kids game for a living and make more money in one season than Obama may ever see in his life? Who had the bigger thrill here, the President or the Yankees? Is that one of the perks of being President? You can summon a sports team to your house at whim and they have no choice but to oblige?
The whole practice to me just seems kind of silly. I think we’re past the point as a society where we need to glorify the role of sports in our lives by introducing the President to the proceedings. We’ve all become so jaded by backward politics and cheating athletes that neither really does the other any benefit by appearing together. It’s all pomp and circumstance for the sake of tradition that really doesn’t mean anything.
Sure, baseball is America’s past-time and plenty of teams do it. But why? Why do some of the most privileged people in our society get to add yet another thrill to their PR driven lives, wasting people’s time and money? Why not do something that will have a little more impact like fly in the participants in the Special Olympics and have them spend a few hours with Obama or gather some of the more recognized teachers from around the country and give them some publicity while education budgets get cut and people lose their jobs?
Sports are big money and drive ratings but they’re main point is to be a pleasant diversion fr us, the consuming public. Maybe it’s best if we let the people we’re paying to run the country and keep an eye on things focus on the less superficial.
These little functions are called making news for the sake of making news. We have enough fluffy news. Really, was your day any better yesterday because you knew the Yankees went to the White House? What positive impact did that have on anyone?
Ok, so maybe I will rant a bit.
Yes it doesn’t need to happen but I happened to be in the car and heard most of President Obama’s remarks and found them entertaining and informative when he highlighted some of the players involvement in important causes which was priceless publicity for those charities. There are programs for outstanding educational programs. Are you familiar with the White House Commencement Challenge? This is a program that has now narrowed down to six outstanding high schools in the United States that are the finalist. The winner will get President Obama as their commencement speaker. You can find out more on http://www.whitehouse.gov/commencement/info and follow the links to learn about these six outstanding programs. I urge you to read about these schools, watch the video and vote. (I voted for Clark Montessori as my number one choice). By the way did you complain when the UConn women got to visit the White House?
Comment by Robert Martin — April 29th, 2010 @ 1:49 pm
I didn’t know the UConn team went to the White House. That’s how little publicity it received. That certainly seems more worthwhile than a PR moment for a baseball team.
The AP story says that Obama talked about the Yankees different charities but doesn’t actually give them by name. That’s kind of a waste, don’t you think? If you don’t have access to the audio or video, you’d have to dig around to find out who they helped out and most people wouldn’t take the time.
If the point is to highlight the charities then skip the pomp and circumstance and highlight the charities. Does Suzyn Waldman really need to dine with members of the Supreme Court with the World Series trophy? She’s not even a player. She’s a broadcaster.
Maybe it’s Much Ado About Nothing on my part but this wasn’t done with the intention of bringing light to the charities. Its nice they included them but this was a PR move highlighting an event that happened six months ago.
Comment by Scott Ham — April 29th, 2010 @ 2:19 pm