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CNN Live Event/Special

World Series Champions Visit White House

Aired December 13, 2001 - 13:48   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: We're expecting President Bush to turn his attention away from Afghanistan for just a few moments. In about a minute, he is to appear in the East Room of the White House to meet with the World Series champions, the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Here is what his press secretary, Ari Fleischer, had to say when he was surprised -- here is the president now in the East Room of the White House -- World Series champion Arizona Diamondbacks.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We were looking for a little entertainment for tonight's Christmas Party.

(LAUGHTER)

But we didn't find it.

(LAUGHTER)

I want to welcome the mighty Diamondbacks to the White House. It didn't take you long to get here.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're here.

BUSH: Yes, exactly.

(APPLAUSE)

I'm developing a severe case of trophy envy.

(LAUGHTER)

We were lucky to get out of last place with the Rangers, and here you have -- thanks in part to you.

But I do want to congratulate you all.

First let me say, welcome to the Arizona delegation. I'm glad to see the senator and members of the United States Congress here.

Thank you all for coming.

It's an amazing year, obviously, for our country. And the World Series couldn't have come at a better time. It gave the American people a chance to think about something other than war. And what a fabulous World Series it was.

I want to thank -- I want to congratulate Bob Brenly, rookie of the year.

(LAUGHTER)

(APPLAUSE)

What a great job he did.

(APPLAUSE)

I still think I remember meeting you.

After throwing out that ball, I was about five feet off the ground. I went with, kind of, a rising slider.

(LAUGHTER)

But it was an amazing experience. And Bob was there with Joe Torre. And I really felt proud to be an American at that moment. I know the players did, as well.

I want to congratulate the vice president and general manager, Joe Garagiola Jr.

I'm always suspicious of guys who've got a famous father.

(LAUGHTER)

And Rich Dozier.

And, of course, Jerry, I want to congratulate you and the ownership group and all the great players.

The players gave us a fabulous series. I can't think of a better way to end a World Series, particularly in a time of national need, than the bottom of the ninth, in the seventh game, everybody watching it in the country, people cheering one way or the other with such joy and jubilation. And so I want to thank the players.

I also particularly want to thank the players for going to ground zero. I know Matt Williams' quote was one that caught my attention when he said, "We're glad to get a chance to shake the hands and talk to some of the true American heroes."

It really meant a lot to the people of New York to see the Diamondbacks, kind of, the, you know, foe of the mighty Yankees, go to ground zero and to thank those people whose lives were hurting a lot; people who had spent enormous amounts of energy trying to rescue a fallen brother or sister because of what the enemy had done.

And I really want to thank you all for doing that. It was a true class-act. Not only are you a great baseball team, but you're obviously a group of really fine human beings, and for that the nation is grateful and thank you.

I want to -- God bless the players here and their families. It's a fabulous time of year. As you can see, the White House is just majestic in its beauty. It's a special honor to be the president of the United States at anytime, but it's especially a special honor to be at a time when our nation is bound together for a common cause and that's to fight and win the war against terror.

So welcome to the White House. Congratulations, and may God bless you all.

(APPLAUSE)

WOODRUFF: President Bush at the White House congratulating once again the World Series winning Arizona Diamondbacks. The president himself, of course, was ran -- was part owner of a baseball team in Texas, the Texas Rangers. So he has a special interest in baseball.

But beyond that, he said the United States got exactly what it needed at the time of the World Series, something to focus on other than the war on terrorism.

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