Mr Pinella goes to Washington, meets barry

July 16, 2009

Cubs started a series with the Washington Nationals tonite and earlier today Cubs’ skipper Lou Pinella toured the White House with his family. barry – a SOXfan – took the time to say hello.

LOU PINELLA:

We didn’t talk about baseball. He was very personal with my grandkids and my wife and children. I was very appreciable.

He’s a class man and he has done a really nice job for our country.

It was an honor to be in his presence and we’re very appreciative that he took a few minutes out of his very, very important day to say hello to us.

UPDATE: More info – from PAUL SULLIVAN

(Ron Edmonds/ Associated Press)

Lou has made it to the White House before, meeting Presidents Clinton, Carter and both Bushs and was assisted on this trip by Cubfans George Will, David Axelrod and Rahm Emanuel – probably provoked by the sight of barry’s Sox jacket (and mom jeans). And he’s been around long enough to know it’s not worth the time trying to “convert” a Soxfan, though he did say:

His top advisers are Cubs fans. So he has a chance.

What did they do?

We enjoyed the experience, watched the president leave in his helicopter (pix), viewed the Situation Room, went to the Oval Office, went to the Rose Garden.

As for barry?

He’s a picture of class and tranquility. I can see why he has had the success and is enjoying the success he’s having as Commander in chief of this country.

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barry’s first pitch at All Star Game (video)
Willie Mays on Air Force One (video)