In the midst of a disappointing season after winning the World Series last year, the Texas Rangers were able to celebrate their success one last time. The team visited the White House to be congratulated by President Joe Biden, which must be considered a welcome change from a 54-61 record that leaves them in third place in the AL West.
At least the Rangers can boast that they were played a classic version of Creed’s “Higher,” which the team drew inspiration from during last season’s World Series. Will that song ever be played at the White House again?
Somewhere, lead singer Scott Stapp is certainly – and rightly – clenching his fist.
President Biden praised the Rangers for their resilience last season. They battled through the postseason despite failing to win the AL West and made the playoffs as a wild card. They defeated the Tampa Bay Rays, Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros before winning the World Series in five games against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
“You never gave up,” Biden said, according to the Associated Press. “You kept the faith. And like your favorite band, Creed, you kept lifting each other up.”
In return, the Rangers presented Biden with a jersey with the number 46 and his name on the back, as well as a pair of cowboy boots that the president joked would “give him another two inches of height.”
For Rangers manager Bruce Bochy, a visit to the White House is almost an everyday occurrence. While Biden was vice president under President Barack Obama, he celebrated three World Series titles with the San Francisco Giants – after the 2010, 2012 and 2014 seasons.
“I’ve talked about how winning the World Series is a gift that keeps on giving,” Bochy told SI.com’s Stefan Stevenson before the visit. “You get a tour of the White House. It’s a beautiful place. It’s a historic moment for the club. Only one team can do that.”
You can watch the ceremony here.