Red Sox Postpone White House Trip Over Government Shutdown
By Matt McCarthy, 985TheSportsHub.com
The World Series champion Boston Red Sox will not visit the White House next month amid the ongoing government shutdown, according to two major league sources that spoke with The Boston Globe.
The Red Sox signaled last week that they could look to postpone the trip. Team President Sam Kennedy expressed an uneasiness about visiting Washington during a government shutdown that has left thousands of federal employees working without pay.
The visit was initially scheduled for February 15, just two days after pitchers and catchers report to spring training.
According to Peter Abraham, the Red Sox will now look to make the trip in early May when they play a three-game series in nearby Baltimore against the Orioles.
It is not yet known how many Red Sox players and staff plan to go to the celebration. Third baseman Rafael Devers has already signaled he will not attend.
Chris Sale, Rick Porcello, Blake Swihart, Mitch Moreland, Brian Johnson, Steve Pearce, Brock Holt, Matt Barnes, and Ryan Brasier have all indicated that they will visit the White House.
Manager Alex Cora has been critical of President Trump’s response to Hurricane Maria in his native Puerto Rico.
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