Gary A. Vasquez/Reuters
The 2018 World Series champion Boston Red Sox have postponed their visit to the White House due to the government shutdown, The Boston Globe reported Friday. Red Sox president Sam Kennedy reportedly told fans the decision to postpone wasn’t about politics, but about how the shutdown has affected locals. “It’s hit people hard in the New England area,” Kennedy said. “I’m not sure it’s appropriate to be celebrating in such a public way while there’s people who are struggling right now. That’s been the internal conversation.”
When the visit does happen in May, not everyone on the team will be in attendance. Shortstop Xander Bogaerts and infielder Eduardo Nunez have both said they are undecided about going to the White House, and third baseman Rafael Devers announced he will not attend, but emphasized that his decision was not political. Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who is from Puerto Rico, has been an outspoken critic of President Trump’s response to Hurricane Maria.