Obama calls Cubs’ Joe Maddon; invites team to White House

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle congratulated the Chicago Cubs World Series win on Thursday — and the president invited the team to the White House before he leaves office in January.

On Thursday evening, the White House spokesman Eric Schultz said, “This evening aboard Air Force One, President Obama phoned Cubs manager Joe Maddon to congratulate his team on their historic World Series victory.

“The President extended an invitation to the team to visit the White House before he leaves office. The President expressed how proud he was of the team, and how much he enjoyed watching the Cubs break their 108-year curse.”

On Thursday morning, Obama reflected on Twitter about the Cubs victory over the Cleveland Indians, “It happened: @Cubs win World Series. That’s change even this South Sider can believe in. Want to come to the White House before I leave?”

Even though Obama is a die-hard White Sox fan, he was for the Cubs, the White House said, once the Cubs were in the playoffs and the Sox out for the season.

Mrs. Obama grew up on the South Side but was always a Cubs fan due to her father’s influence. She said on Twitter, “Go @Cubs, go! Been rooting for you since I was a kid, and so incredibly proud tonight. #FlytheW -mo”

Hillary Clinton, born on Chicago’s North Side and raised in Park Ridge said on Twitter, “They did it! 108 years later and the drought is finally over. Way to make history, @Cubs. #FlyTheW -H”

Clinton grew up as Cubs fan and also roots for the Yankees.

When it comes to Chicago baseball, politics go on the presidential back burner.

The GOP members of the Cubs-owning Ricketts family are plowing at least a million dollars into a drive to elect Donald Trump. The Ricketts Democrat — daughter Laura — is a mega fundraiser for Obama and Hillary Clinton.

Obama regularly hosts championship teams at the White House. The Blackhawks have been feted by Obama three times after Stanley Cup wins. In 2011, Obama did a make-good with the 1985 Bears Super Bowl team after their visit was canceled following the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.

He also honored late Cubs slugger Ernie Banks with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013.