Astros Visit the White House

[Centerfield]

And Jose Altuve had an awesome time.

https://deadspin.com/jose-altuves-day-at-the-white-house-looked-pretty-awkwa-1823704161

[Edgy MD]

I spend a pointlessly stupid amount of time wondering what I'd do if I were in Altuve's position.

I'd love to think I could show up and stun him to his knees with my 30-second eloquent, compassionate, and irrefutable indictment of his agenda, but I'd likely make a babbling fool of myself, and end up only solidifying his grip on power. I'd do better staying away and stating my reasons in writing, which I do far better, but that would feel cowardly.

Any past president, I'd shake his hand warmly and wish him well.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I wouldn't go.

I would probably say something like, "I understand that people don't want to hear my political views, so I won't share them. I'll simply say that I'm not going to the White House because I don't want to."

And yes, I'd go for any other President, Republican or Democrat, or whatever else. But Trump is so far outside the norm that the whole "respect the office" thing just doesn't apply. He himself doesn't respect the office, so why should anyone else respect it while it's occupied by this utter fraud?

[Ceetar]

I'd show up in one of those Obama HOPE shirts. The only words I'd speak to Trump would be "Do you work here? I'm looking for President Obama"

[Guest d'Kong76]

In my fantasy world Trump extends his congratulatory hand to me and I tell him,
smiling, "I ain't touching that, god knows where it's been today."

[G-Fafif]

I've always regretted that I have no answer for the theoretical question nobody's ever asked me, "How did the Mets do on the day you graduated from high school?" given that baseball was on strike that particular June Sunday afternoon. In that sense, it would be preferable to say, "My World Series-winning team didn't go to the White House because that was when the idea of celebrating our accomplishment in that setting lay beyond the usual parameters of ceremonial niceties and struck us as a tacit endorsement of the thoroughly unendorsable."

Which is to say, as with graduating from high school during a baseball strike and therefore not having a Mets score to sync to the occasion, it's just one of those things you leave blank -- but you got your diploma and you still won the World Series.

(For the record, I do distinctly recall the Tidewater Tides playing the Columbus Clippers in a game broadcast on WMCA, June 21, 1981. I have not retained a final score.)

[Benjamin Grimm]

I don't remember what date I graduated high school, but it was probably within a few days of your graduation date.

[Gwreck]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I wouldn't go.

Carlos Correa and Carlos Beltran didn’t.

[Ceetar]

G-Fafif wrote: I've always regretted that I have no answer for the theoretical question nobody's ever asked me, "How did the Mets do on the day you graduated from high school?"

The Mets drubbed Bronson Arroyo. Piazza Homered. Bobby Jones went 8. Rich Rodriguez finished the 12-2 victory.

I'm like 99% sure that was the date (so hard to verify this stuff from so long ago!) but I also vaguely remember watching that drubbing of Arroyo and almost certainly didn't watch the game actively, even if it was on the television at the resturant who's name I can't remember on the corner of Scranton and Union in Lynbrook that became a Charlie Browns and is now a hibachi.

[Guest 41Forever]

Not everything can or should be referendum on a particular president at a particular point in time. A visit to the White House after winning a championship should be above politics. Otherwise you get into situations that are distracting from the reason for the visit, which is the championship.

In any given year, a number of a team's players voted for the person in the Oval, and a number did not -- at least the ones who are American citizens and allowed to vote. A bunch of a teams' fans supported the person, and a number did not. If each appearance becomes a media debate over who is going to show up and who is not going to show up -- and who is going to call attention to themselves by announcing they won't show up -- then they should just stop doing the appearances.

[Benjamin Grimm]

If we had a normal president, of either party, then yes, it would be above politics. But Trump is NOT a normal president and the White House and the Oval Office and the entire United States of America are therefore diminished. As I said above, the whole "respect the office" thing is temporarily suspended.

I didn't vote for either President Bush, but I would have happily visited either of them in the White House. I would have visited a President McCain or a President Romney too. Or a President Rubio or a President Cruz.

But NOT a President Trump.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

G-Fafif wrote: I've always regretted that I have no answer for the theoretical question nobody's ever asked me, "How did the Mets do on the day you graduated from high school?" given that baseball was on strike that particular June Sunday afternoon.

I looked this up now. If my dates are right, Bruce Berenyi goes 7 innings, Doug Sisk a 2-inning save as Mets shut down Gary Carter and the Expos 2-0 on Cap Day. Strawberry (RBI double) and Danny Heep (solo HR) provide the offense.

A UMDB poster says this was the first game Shea fans embraced "the wave" which sounds about right as Katrina and the Waves would be big that summer too.

Oh and fuck Donald Trump. He was an idiot then too. He's a disaster of an American and if he invited me to the WH I'd tell him to GFH

[G-Fafif]

Ceetar wrote: G-Fafif wrote: I've always regretted that I have no answer for the theoretical question nobody's ever asked me, "How did the Mets do on the day you graduated from high school?" The Mets drubbed Bronson Arroyo. Piazza Homered. Bobby Jones went 8. Rich Rodriguez finished the 12-2 victory. I'm like 99% sure that was the date (so hard to verify this stuff from so long ago!) but I also vaguely remember watching that drubbing of Arroyo and almost certainly didn't watch the game actively, even if it was on the television at the resturant who's name I can't remember on the corner of Scranton and Union in Lynbrook that became a Charlie Browns and is now a hibachi.

The SW corner of that intersection was home for many years to the Union Avenue Cafe, where our family got together the night of Opening Day 1987, not because we were stoked over the raising of the World Series flag earlier that afternoon, but because it was my parents' 36th wedding anniversary. It was the first place I remember encountering where pages from the sports sections were posted over the urinals, which, since the articles were all about the Mets preparing to open their season, I thought was the greatest of ideas.

As good a celebration of a previous year's world championship as anything else IMO.

[G-Fafif]

Not a president I was into, but a lovely occasion I would have happily attended had the guests of honor needed an extra body (and John Gibbons wasn't available).

[youtube:36b7benv]PCas3eh5cSk[/youtube:36b7benv]

[Centerfield]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: If we had a normal president, of either party, then yes, it would be above politics. But Trump is NOT a normal president and the White House and the Oval Office and the entire United States of America are therefore diminished. As I said above, the whole "respect the office" thing is temporarily suspended. I didn't vote for either President Bush, but I would have happily visited either of them in the White House. I would have visited a President McCain or a President Romney too. Or a President Rubio or a President Cruz. But NOT a President Trump.

Deep down someplace in what remains of 41Forever's soul, he knows this too. He knows it before you typed it, because that message has been given so many times before. But he wasn't interested in hearing it then and he won't hear it now. Because what's important for him (and others like him) is to spin this as just "politics". Convince himself, and others, that's it's not nearly as bad those snowflakes are making it seem. Pretend that there was some way to support this man while maintaining a shred of decency or morality.

He wants to maintain this self image of being a good guy. Not realizing that having to search for ways to justify your position with that of basic human decency means you are on the wrong side of right and wrong.

All because he had already chosen his side before Trump showed up. And when he did, rather than re-thinking his party's position, went straight into justification and spin. If you pay attention to his posts, he does this so instinctively he's long since forgotten that this is wrong.

[Ceetar]

G-Fafif wrote: G-Fafif wrote: I've always regretted that I have no answer for the theoretical question nobody's ever asked me, "How did the Mets do on the day you graduated from high school?" The Mets drubbed Bronson Arroyo. Piazza Homered. Bobby Jones went 8. Rich Rodriguez finished the 12-2 victory. I'm like 99% sure that was the date (so hard to verify this stuff from so long ago!) but I also vaguely remember watching that drubbing of Arroyo and almost certainly didn't watch the game actively, even if it was on the television at the resturant who's name I can't remember on the corner of Scranton and Union in Lynbrook that became a Charlie Browns and is now a hibachi. The SW corner of that intersection was home for many years to the Union Avenue Cafe, where our family got together the night of Opening Day 1987, not because we were stoked over the raising of the World Series flag earlier that afternoon, but because it was my parents' 36th wedding anniversary. It was the first place I remember encountering where pages from the sports sections were posted over the urinals, which, since the articles were all about the Mets preparing to open their season, I thought was the greatest of ideas. As good a celebration of a previous year's world championship as anything else IMO.

13 years later I'm pretty sure it wasn't still that. But my brain won't recall it, dammit. It was probably a somewhat boring American place, given my palate and the likelihood that I chose it. 'Great American grill" or something. grr. Maybe watching highlights of the Mets pounding Arroyo will help.

[Guest cooby]

d'Kong76 wrote: In my fantasy world Trump extends his congratulatory hand to me and I tell him, smiling, "I ain't touching that, god knows where it's been today."

LOL

[Guest sharpie]

Guessing at the high school graduation date:

Tom Seaver gives up a seventh inning homer to Willie Stargell while John Candelaria is shutting the Mets out. Then, in the 8th Jack Heidemann (who?), pinch-hitting for Seaver, hits a sac fly that brings in John Stearns with the tying run.

But in the 9th Tom Hall and Bob Apodaca proceed to collectively give up 4 runs including a bases loaded triple by Rennie Stennett and the Bucs win 5-1. Future Met Candelaria goes the distance giving up four hits.

And I agree with Grimm: I would have gone to any other White House but this one.

[Frayed Knot]

41Forever wrote: Not everything can or should be referendum on a particular president at a particular point in time. A visit to the White House after winning a championship should be above politics. Otherwise you get into situations that are distracting from the reason for the visit, which is the championship. In any given year, a number of a team's players voted for the person in the Oval, and a number did not -- at least the ones who are American citizens and allowed to vote. A bunch of a teams' fans supported the person, and a number did not. If each appearance becomes a media debate over who is going to show up and who is not going to show up -- and who is going to call attention to themselves by announcing they won't show up -- then they should just stop doing the appearances.

My fantasy reaction to skipping the theoretical WH invite I'm offered during however long Agent Orange remains in office is one which has nothing to do with politics but rather that my refusal to show is based simply on the idea that I find him to be such a despicable person. I would also choose some public method to explain that the reason behind my no-show is most decidedly NOT due to any disagreement on political specifics but on the (lack of) character of the man himself.

[Fman99]

Not only would I not go, I'd be happy to share exactly why with anyone who was inclined to ask me. Being there, even while making a scowly face a la Jose Altuve, is still a tacit endorsement of the "man" in the Oval Office.

[MFS62]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I didn't vote for either President Bush, but I would have happily visited either of them in the White House. I would have visited a President McCain or a President Romney too. [crossout]Or a President Rubio or a President Cruz.[/crossout] But NOT a President Trump.

I edited that based on my principles.

The Pirates beat the Cubs 7-6 on the day I graduated High School, two years before the Mets were born.

Later

[nymr83]

I probably would have visited Bill but, being a teenager for most of his time in office, I would have asked "Bill, how did you get them all to blow you?" ... With absolutely no political intent behind the question.

[Lefty Specialist]

Oh, I'd go. But I'd wear this.

[nymr83]

Nice. Id wear that just for fun if I knew I was going to see him, and I probably have the lowest level of dislike for him of anyone here.

[Guest d'Kong76]

The graduation date thing is fun! Claudell Washington hit three homers
on 06/22/1980 in a 9-6 win over the Dodgers in LA. I'm gonna go way
out on a limb and say it was his best game as a Met.

06/22/1980 - retrosheet.org

06/22/1980 - UMDB Memories

[Edgy MD]

I remember that day. Bob Murphy the next day said that his wife later told him "That new guy the Mets got sounds great!" When he asked her who, she replied, "Claudell Irvington!"

I'm not sure if the joke was that she messed up the name or she was making fun of him because he had messed up the name on the air."

Nymr83 wrote: Nice. Id wear that just for fun if I knew I was going to see him, and I probably have the lowest level of dislike for him of anyone here.

Lindsey's Jacket thinks he's just peachy.

I don't see how it has to do with politics at all. He profanely and publicly insulted the mothers of your fellow athletes, and he'd just as soon do the same to you and your mother, just because.

Politics shmolitics. And it's not about calling attention to yourself. (You're a national champion, for Pete's sake.) It's simply a question of honor.

[A Boy Named Seo]

It would be cool to see a player like Altuve, who seems to have visible disdain for Trump and was just "playfully" made fun of for being so short, refuse to shake his hand and say "No thanks, I don't respect you", then just stare and smile at that piece of shit human being. I would pay admission to watch that.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I have a feeling that Donald Trump smells like sweat that's poorly masked by cheap cologne.

[Centerfield]

Edgy MD wrote: I spend a pointlessly stupid amount of time wondering what I'd do if I were in Altuve's position. I'd love to think I could show up and stun him to his knees with my 30-second eloquent, compassionate, and irrefutable indictment of his agenda, but I'd likely make a babbling fool of myself, and end up only solidifying his grip on power. I'd do better staying away and stating my reasons in writing, which I do far better, but that would feel cowardly. Any past president, I'd shake his hand warmly and wish him well.

I keep waffling on this.

I would either:

*Not go. I'd make the trip to DC with my teammates but would decline to visit the White House. I'd rather visit a school or hospital anyway. I'd issue a statement making it very clear that my election not to go was intentional.

*Go. And I'd issue a statement ahead of time explaining why. I can't stand what this administration has done, and what they stand for is hard to stomach. But I'll go, and I'll give my thoughts to the President directly, in private. I think it's important that if we are to come out of this, then we have to come together. And so I'm doing my part by coming to the table.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Talk to this president all you want. Might as well talk to your hat. Or your cat, for all the good that's gonna do. This president stopped listening to anyone probably when he was a teen-ager. He's been exhibiting psychopathic traits since he was a child. As a young boy, he used to throw rocks at baby's heads and then laugh about it. He's worse than a bad presixent. He's a bad seed.