*The San Francisco Giants were back in their second home on Thursday – the White House.
For the third time in five years, the baseball team made the requisite stop at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. in Washington as World Series champions.
In an East Room ceremony, Obama joked the Giants have him to thank for their historic run of success.
“They’ve got that even-year magic; they’ve got that championship experience,” Obama said of the team, which won the Fall Classic in 2010, 2012 and 2014. “I seem to be good luck for them.”
Giants CEO Larry Baer said the feeling is mutual. In addition to the traditional baseball and team jersey, Baer gifted Obama a team-signed base, symbolic of the president’s strong political support in the San Francisco area.
“A third term perhaps?” Baer asked.
“Michelle will not allow that,” Obama replied. “The Constitution is a problem too.”
Several members of the team had also visited the White House after the team’s first and second titles this decade, and Obama singled out one of them: World Series MVP pitcher Madison Bumgarner.
Several members of Congress, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), as well as San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, were at the White House to celebrate with the team.
Baseball Hall of Famers and Giants legends Willie Mays, 84, and Monte Irvin, 96, were also in attendance.
But one West Wing denizen was not thrilled about the ceremony: press secretary Josh Earnest, a Kansas City, Mo., native.
“As a courtesy to press secretary Josh Earnest, I won’t mention the team they beat,” Obama said of the Giants, who defeated the Kansas City Royals to capture the title.
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