After a disappointing season following their World Series win last year, the Texas Rangers were able to celebrate their success one last time on the off day. The team visited the White House to receive congratulations from President Joe Biden, which should be considered a welcome break from their current 54-61 record that puts them in third place in the AL West.
At least the Rangers can boast that they were serenaded by a classical rendition of Creed’s “Higher,” the song that inspired last season’s World Series. Will it be played again at the White House?
Somewhere, lead singer Scott Stapp is surely – and rightly so – swinging a fist.
President Biden praised the Rangers’ resilience last season, powering through the postseason and making the playoffs as a wild card after failing to win the AL West. But they won the World Series in five games over the Arizona Diamondbacks after beating the Tampa Bay Rays, Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros.
“You never gave up,” Biden said, according to the Associated Press. “You kept the faith. And like your favorite band, Creed, you lifted each other up higher and higher.”
In return, the Rangers presented Biden with a No. 46 jersey with his name on it and a pair of cowboy boots that the president joked would make him “two inches taller.”
For Rangers manager Bruce Bochy, White House visits are almost a regular occurrence. He previously celebrated three World Series titles with the San Francisco Giants: after the 2010, 2012 and 2014 seasons, when Biden was vice president under President Barack Obama.
“I said winning the World Series is the gift that keeps on giving,” Bochy told SI.com’s Stephen Stephenson before the visit. “You get to tour the White House. It’s a beautiful place. It’s a historic moment for the club. Only one team can do it.”
You can watch the event here.
