President Obama welcomed the World Series champion Chicago Cubs to the White House on Monday, five days before he leaves office.
Obama, a fan of the Cubs’ crosstown rival Chicago White Sox, moved quickly after the Cubs’ come-from-behind championship victory against the Cleveland Indians to invite his hometown team to the White House. The Cubs’ victory in 2016 marked the team’s first championship in 108 years.
“I made a lot of promises in 2008, we managed to fulfill a large number of them but even I was not crazy enough to suggest we would see the Cubs win the World Series,” Obama said on Monday. “But I did say there is nothing false about hope.”
The Cubs celebration at the White House marks the 86th team event during Obama’s tenure, according to CBS News’ Mark Knoller. The former Illinois senator hosted the National Hockey League’s Chicago Blackhawks at the White House following their three championships during Obama’s tenure as president. He also has hosted the 1985 Super Bowl champion Chicago Bears team, which did not previously get the opportunity to visit the White House reportedly because of the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion.
The president also noted that his wife, Michelle, is a lifelong Cubs fan and Monday’s event was the first time she had attended an event celebrating a sports team during Obama’s tenure.
