Amid a disappointing season following last year’s World Series championship, the Texas Rangers got to celebrate their success one last time. The team visited the White House to be congratulated by President Joe Biden, which should come as a welcome change from a 54-61 record that leaves them in third place in the AL West.
At the very least, the Rangers can boast that they were serenaded with a classic rendition of Creed’s “Higher,” which inspired the team during last season’s World Series. Will the song ever be played in the White House again?
Somewhere, lead singer Scott Stapp is undoubtedly — and rightly so — pumping his fist in the air.
President Biden praised the Rangers for their resilience last season, as they struggled through the postseason after failing to win the AL West and made the playoffs as a wild-card. They defeated the Tampa Bay Rays, Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros before winning the World Series in five games against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
“You never gave up,” Biden said, according to The Associated Press. “You kept the faith. And like your favorite band, Creed, you kept lifting each other higher.”
In turn, the Rangers gave Biden a number 46 jersey with his name on the back and a pair of cowboy boots, which the president joked would give him “another two inches.”
For Rangers manager Bruce Bochy, a visit to the White House is almost a regular occurrence. He celebrated three World Series championships with the San Francisco Giants — after the 2010, 2012 and 2014 seasons — when Biden was vice president under President Barack Obama.
“I’ve talked about how winning the World Series is a gift that keeps on giving,” Bochy told SI.com’s Stefan Stevenson before the visit. “You get to tour the White House. It’s a beautiful place. It’s a historic moment for the club. Only one team gets to do that.”
You can watch the ceremony here.
