Skip to content

Red Sox reconsidering White House visit amid government shutdown

Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The 2018 World Series champions' trip to the White House could become the next casualty of the United States government shutdown.

The Boston Red Sox are scheduled to celebrate their title by visiting president Donald Trump on Feb. 15, but the continued shutdown has left those plans up in the air, members of the team's ownership said Friday.

"It's something we'll be watching," principal owner John Henry said of the shutdown, according to Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe. "It would be tough."

Added chairman Tom Werner: "It's our intention to go ... But, as John said, it's awkward if there's a shutdown."

Word of the Red Sox potentially reconsidering their trip to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue comes just a few days after manager Alex Cora hinted he's considering skipping the visit. Cora, a native of Puerto Rico, has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration's response to the hurricanes that have devastated his homeland since 2017.

"We'll see what happens," Cora said Thursday, according to The Associated Press. "If I go, I'll represent Puerto Rico the right way."

Both Henry and Kennedy said the Red Sox will allow individuals to decide whether or not they'll attend the White House ceremony, in the event it happens. Although several players have publicly stated they'll take part, a few unidentified members of the team are planning to skip the ceremony, Abraham reports.

Despite the ongoing shutdown, Trump hosted the NCAA football champion Clemson Tigers at the White House this week.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox