Several Boston Red Sox Players Decline Invitation To Trump White House

Boston Red Sox pitcher David Price said Thursday that he would not be participating in the World Series-winning teams visit to the White House next month, joining several of his teammates eschewing the tradition, which has become highly politicized under President Donald Trump .

World Series hero David Price told me he doesnt plan to go to the White House when the champion Red Sox visit May 9. Its baseball season, was all Price said about that. Previously, AL MVP Mookie Betts plus JBJ, Rafael Devers and Hector Velazquez also said they wont be going.

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World Series hero David Price told me he doesnt plan to go to the White House when the champion Red Sox visit May 9. Its baseball season, was all Price said about that. Previously, AL MVP Mookie Betts plus JBJ, Rafael Devers and Hector Velazquez also said they wont be going.
Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) April 18, 2019

According to MLB Network reporter Jon Heyman, Price cited baseball season as his reason to not participate in the visit on May 9, which had been rescheduled because of the government shutdown earlier this year .

Several other Red Sox players have announced that they will not go, including American League MVP Mookie Betts , Rafael Devers and Jackie Bradley Jr.

The first did not specify his reason, and the latter two said that politics did not play a role in their decision.

Hector Velasquez , who is from Mexico, said earlier this month that he does not plan to go, saying that he would rather not offend his Mexican fans.

I made the choice not to go because, as we know, the president has said a lot of stuff about Mexico, he told MassLive.com through a translator. And I have a lot of people in Mexico that are fans of me, that follow me. And Im from there. So I would rather not offend anyone over there.

A few others, including team manager Alex Cora, have said that they are undecided.

Cora, a native of Puerto Rico, condemned Trumps antagonism toward Puerto Rico following the devastation of Hurricane Maria. Asked about the team visit in January, Cora said: Well see what happens.

He explained that he was considering what kind of platform Im going to have if I go, but pledged to represent Puerto Rico the right way if he decides to attend.

Sometimes, if you walk the other way and you get your back to whatever is going on, is it positive? he said. I dont know. Sometimes youve got to show your face.