In the midst of a disappointing season following last year’s World Series championship, the Texas Rangers were able to celebrate that success one last time on their day off. The team visited the White House to receive congratulations from President Joe Biden, which should be considered a welcome respite from a 54-61 record that currently keeps them in third place in the American League West.
At the very least, the Rangers can boast that they were entertained by a classic version of Creed’s “Higher,” which the team used as inspiration during last season’s World Series. Will this song be played again at the White House?
Somewhere, singer Scott Stapp is surely, and rightly, raising his fist.
President Biden praised the Rangers for their resilience last season, making a strong run in the postseason after failing to win the American League West and making the playoffs as a wild card. They did, however, defeat the Tampa Bay Rays, Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros before winning the World Series in five games against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
“They never gave up,” Biden said. According to the Associated Press“You kept the faith. And like your favorite band, Creed, you pushed each other to ever higher levels.”
The Rangers, in turn, presented Biden with a No. 46 jersey with his name on the back and a pair of cowboy boots that the president joked would “give me two extra inches.”
For Rangers manager Bruce Bochy, visiting the White House is almost a regular occurrence. He previously celebrated three World Series championships with the San Francisco Giants (in the 2010, 2012 and 2014 seasons) while Biden was vice president in Barack Obama’s administration.
“I’ve talked about how winning the World Series is a gift that keeps on giving,” Bochy said. Stefan Stevenson of SI.com Before the visit, “you will be able to see the White House. It is a beautiful place. It is a historic moment for the club. Only one team can do it.”