'A Few' Red Sox Players Will Opt To Skip White House Trip
BOSTON (CBS) – When the Red Sox visit the White House in February to celebrate their World Series win, they expect that some players will not attend.
According to Chris Mason, Red Sox writer for the Eagle Tribune, "a few" players have already informed the team's front office that they will be skipping the visit.
A few Red Sox players have already told the front office that they're skipping the White House visit.
— Chris Mason (@ByChrisMason) January 19, 2019
Rafael Devers became the first player to say he will not go to the White House. Devers told reporters at the Red Sox' annual Winter Weekend that it is not a political decision.
Rafael Devers is the first player to say he's not going to the White House. Said it wasn't a political decision. Via translator: "The opportunity was presented and I just wasn't compelled to go."
— Chris Mason (@ByChrisMason) January 19, 2019
Eduardo Nunez remains undecided on the trip, he told reporters.
Eduardo Nunez said he's still deciding whether to go to White House. Declined to elaborate on what he's weighing
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) January 19, 2019
Other players were also asked about the trip at the Winter Weekend event.
Rick Porcello said he would visit the White House. Eduardo Rodriguez said he would see what others are doing then mentioned the benefits of instead spending the day with his family.
— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) January 19, 2019
On Friday, owners John Henry and Tom Werner said they are "watching" the government shutdown as it is something that could impact the White House visit, which is scheduled for February 15.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora, a Puerto Rico native who has been outspoken about its need for hurricane relief, hedged a bit after initially saying he would attend.
"We'll see what happens," Cora said last week. "There's a lot of stuff going on right now as far as the government and the shutdown and all that. If I go, I'll represent Puerto Rico the right way."