[vincesanity82]

George Bush welcomed the Boston Red Sox to his home yesterday -- it's something called the "White House" -- to congratulate them on their World Series victory of '07. As he usually does at these sports celebrations, he cracked a few jokes. (It's sports! It's fun!)

One of which involved Daisuke Matsuzaka -- chronicled last night here at FanHouse. Another involved Manny Ramirez, who didn't make the trip yesterday to the White House. Bush had this to say about Manny:

"I love the fact that you've got some of the game's biggest stars. I mean, 'Big Papi,' the guy lights up the screen. He brings a great personality - (applause). I'm sorry his running mate, Manny Ramirez, isn't here. I guess his grandmother died again. (Laughter.) Just kidding. (Laughter.) Tell Manny I didn't mean it."

You can watch video of said quote here. If you remember last spring training, it was reported Manny didn't report to spring training because he was with his sick mother, but then reports surfaced he was actually at a car show. (Theo Epstein later cleared this up, saying he wasn't going to a car show and instead attending to family matters.)

President Bush on Manny: 'I Guess His Grandmother Died Again' - FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog

[Gotham Dark Knight]

I personally like the humor...especially at Manny's expense...

[legend]

What isn't funny is that Manny did not go to Walter Reed Hospital afterwards like the rest of the team did to visit with disabled veterans. But as long as he hits, he can do what he wants. Unfortunately for him, I think his hitting days are now clearly numbered.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by legend

What isn't funny is that Manny did not go to Walter Reed Hospital afterwards like the rest of the team did to visit with disabled veterans. But as long as he hits, he can do what he wants. Unfortunately for him, I think his hitting days are now clearly numbered.

I am all for theteam visit to our veterans...I would have gone...but if Manny choses to do something else, why is it an issue of any kind?

[Bette]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

I am all for theteam visit to our veterans...I would have gone...but if Manny choses to do something else, why is it an issue of any kind?

Maybe because its supposed to be an honor to be invited to the White House, political preferences aside??

[Phils20]

It's obvious that some athletes don't care about honor, just the paycheck. I can almost understand not wanting to meet Bush, but for a lost of those Vets, these kind of visits mean a lot.

I do as many charity rides, and PGR things, as I can. It's the least we can do for folks that give so much to this country.

Even if you aren't from this country, the league, and the team you play for, and the fans that spend their money, should make you a bit grateful for the US.

I don't see any athletes getting rich as Baseball players like they can here in the States.

I guess it is too much effort to take a day out to do the right thing.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Phils20

It's obvious that some athletes don't care about honor, just the paycheck. I can almost understand not wanting to meet Bush, but for a lost of those Vets, these kind of visits mean a lot.

I do as many charity rides, and PGR things, as I can. It's the least we can do for folks that give so much to this country.

Even if you aren't from this country, the league, and the team you play for, and the fans that spend their money, should make you a bit grateful for the US.

I don't see any athletes getting rich as Baseball players like they can here in the States.

I guess it is too much effort to take a day out to do the right thing.

Perhaps it's cause he is a Dominican player...maybe he does not have the same sense of pariotism...and Manny is a space cadet so good will lis lost on him.

[Phils20]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

Perhaps it's cause he is a Dominican player...maybe he does not have the same sense of pariotism...and Manny is a space cadet so good will lis lost on him.

Like I said, this country has provided him with a livng most of us dream about. We all have to do things in life to "play the game".

This is just one thing he should do.

I don't care if he doesn't like Bush, or agree with the war.

Hell, a lot of the folks fighting it don't either.

But to a vet, I think it is just disrepsectful.

It's his right to do that, and it is my right to not repsect him for it.

I'm sure he is too busy counting his US dollars to care about the folks that make it possible for him to be safe enough to do that.

[legend]

Manny probably doesn't even know we are at war.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by legend

Manny probably doesn't even know we are at war.

Wouldn't doubt it...