AP
President Donald Trump hugs Washington Nationals catcher Kurt Suzuki during an event to honor the 2019 World Series champion Washington Nationals baseball team at the White House, Monday, Nov. 4, 2019, in Washington. Standing at right is manager Dave Martinez. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Remember when a sports team’s visit to the White House was nothing more than a photo op?
Simpler times, no matter your political affiliation.
It was the Washington Nationals’ turn Monday after winning the World Series, and catcher Kurt Suzuki surprised even President Donald Trump when he threw on a red baseball cap before stepping to the podium.
There wasn’t a curly W on it, but rather the words “Make America Great Again.” President Trump certainly approved.
Ryan Zimmerman presented Trump with a No. 45 Nationals jersey, and also showed the president his supporting, thanking him for “keeping everyone here safe in our country and continuing to make America the greatest country to live in the world.”
“Everyone fell in love with Nats baseball,” Trump said during the half-hour ceremony on the South Lawn. “That’s all they wanted to talk about — that and impeachment. I like Nats baseball more.”
President Trump attended Game 5 in Washington, and received a mixed reaction, including some boos and chants of “lock him up.” The Nationals won the series in seven games.
Suzuki insisted afterward he wasn’t necessarily making a political statement with the headgear.
“It was amazing. That was the president. Just trying to have some fun,” Suzuki told USA Today. “Everybody makes everything political. It was about our team winning the World Series."
Third baseman Anthony Rendon and reliever Sean Doolittle were among the Nationals players who opted not to attend.