White Sox honored in DC on Monday
Team to tour the White House, meet with President Bush
By Scott Merkin / MLB.com

Joe Crede, Aaron Rowand and A.J. Pierzynski will be reunited on Monday. (Jeff Roberson/AP)
CHICAGO -- Getting the chance to privately tour the White House in the nation's capitol and meet with President Bush would be a fairly interesting and exciting experience, in and of itself, for any average American citizen.
Being recognized for their 2005 World Series title by President Bush after their tour, as announced Thursday by White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan, simply adds to that particular brand of excitement. But for Aaron Rowand, the Gold Glove caliber center fielder who was traded to Philadelphia just a month after the celebration ended, Monday's trip holds an even higher level of personal significance.
"It's even more exciting now then it would be if I was still on the team," said Rowand, speaking from his car Thursday afternoon while on his way to Philadelphia's Spring Training site in Clearwater, Fla. "It's going to be the last time I get to see the guys for a while.
"This will be a good reunion, and a lot of the guys have called to see if I'm going. It's going to be a great time."
Rowand won't be the only White Sox World Series contributor with a new address in Washington, D.C. Players such as Damaso Marte, Luis Vizcaino, Willie Harris and Geoff Blum, to name a few, were all invited and are scheduled to be part of the ceremony. Part-time contributors such as Brandon McCarthy, Brian Anderson and Joe Borchard were also extended an invitation and will be taking advantage of the chance to meet the President.
The traveling party will include coaches, trainers and strength and conditioning coordinators, and selected front office personnel will be part of the White Sox traveling party. Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf and general manager Ken Williams will make the trip, but manager Ozzie Guillen will not be in attendance.
Guillen, who had a family vacation previously planned for Feb. 13, is one of six players or coaches with ties to the organization who won't be going to the White House. Tadahito Iguchi is being recognized in his homeland of Japan with a ceremony that could not be changed, while Scott Podsednik currently is on his honeymoon. Freddy Garcia (preparing for the World Baseball Classic), Frank Thomas and Bobby Jenks also will not be in attendance.
Most of the White Sox contingency is scheduled to arrive in Washington D.C. on Sunday, with the festivities starting with the private tour Monday afternoon. There will be a meet and greet with President Bush and a private time for the team to speak with him, outside of the photo opportunity and public statements.
For a history buff such as Rowand is, checking out the different White House bedrooms and the Oval Office figures to be a very memorable afternoon. Rowand laughed and agreed that it could have been even more entertaining if Guillen, the proud new American citizen and colorful manager, would have come along.
With pitchers and catchers scheduled to report to Tucson on Feb. 17, the trip to the White House almost serves as a changing of the guard for the White Sox. Guillen has previously mentioned that once Feb. 18 arrives and workouts begin, he no longer considers the White Sox the champions. All eyes will be honed in on the 2006 season.
That change for Rowand will be a little more permanent following Monday's trip out East.
"I'm looking forward to catching up with all those guys," said Rowand, who is driving to Orlando to visit with A.J. Pierzynski before the two fly out on Sunday. "This is a neat experience not a whole lot of people get to have.
"Basically, I'm non-partisan. I always vote for who the better guy is. But I like President Bush. I was always a fan of his. I'm a little biased maybe because he's a baseball fan."
Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Team to tour the White House, meet with President Bush
By Scott Merkin / MLB.com

Joe Crede, Aaron Rowand and A.J. Pierzynski will be reunited on Monday. (Jeff Roberson/AP)
CHICAGO -- Getting the chance to privately tour the White House in the nation's capitol and meet with President Bush would be a fairly interesting and exciting experience, in and of itself, for any average American citizen.
Being recognized for their 2005 World Series title by President Bush after their tour, as announced Thursday by White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan, simply adds to that particular brand of excitement. But for Aaron Rowand, the Gold Glove caliber center fielder who was traded to Philadelphia just a month after the celebration ended, Monday's trip holds an even higher level of personal significance.
"It's even more exciting now then it would be if I was still on the team," said Rowand, speaking from his car Thursday afternoon while on his way to Philadelphia's Spring Training site in Clearwater, Fla. "It's going to be the last time I get to see the guys for a while.
"This will be a good reunion, and a lot of the guys have called to see if I'm going. It's going to be a great time."
Rowand won't be the only White Sox World Series contributor with a new address in Washington, D.C. Players such as Damaso Marte, Luis Vizcaino, Willie Harris and Geoff Blum, to name a few, were all invited and are scheduled to be part of the ceremony. Part-time contributors such as Brandon McCarthy, Brian Anderson and Joe Borchard were also extended an invitation and will be taking advantage of the chance to meet the President.
The traveling party will include coaches, trainers and strength and conditioning coordinators, and selected front office personnel will be part of the White Sox traveling party. Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf and general manager Ken Williams will make the trip, but manager Ozzie Guillen will not be in attendance.
Guillen, who had a family vacation previously planned for Feb. 13, is one of six players or coaches with ties to the organization who won't be going to the White House. Tadahito Iguchi is being recognized in his homeland of Japan with a ceremony that could not be changed, while Scott Podsednik currently is on his honeymoon. Freddy Garcia (preparing for the World Baseball Classic), Frank Thomas and Bobby Jenks also will not be in attendance.
Most of the White Sox contingency is scheduled to arrive in Washington D.C. on Sunday, with the festivities starting with the private tour Monday afternoon. There will be a meet and greet with President Bush and a private time for the team to speak with him, outside of the photo opportunity and public statements.
For a history buff such as Rowand is, checking out the different White House bedrooms and the Oval Office figures to be a very memorable afternoon. Rowand laughed and agreed that it could have been even more entertaining if Guillen, the proud new American citizen and colorful manager, would have come along.
With pitchers and catchers scheduled to report to Tucson on Feb. 17, the trip to the White House almost serves as a changing of the guard for the White Sox. Guillen has previously mentioned that once Feb. 18 arrives and workouts begin, he no longer considers the White Sox the champions. All eyes will be honed in on the 2006 season.
That change for Rowand will be a little more permanent following Monday's trip out East.
"I'm looking forward to catching up with all those guys," said Rowand, who is driving to Orlando to visit with A.J. Pierzynski before the two fly out on Sunday. "This is a neat experience not a whole lot of people get to have.
"Basically, I'm non-partisan. I always vote for who the better guy is. But I like President Bush. I was always a fan of his. I'm a little biased maybe because he's a baseball fan."
Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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