As part of its World Series Championship victory lap, the Yankees met President Obama yesterday at the White House. With players and Yankees management flanked behind him, the President said,"It's been nine years since your last title, which must have been an eternity for Yankees fans...I think other teams would be just fine with a spell like that. The Cubs, for example."

And the White Sox fan added, "This is a team that goes that goes down to Spring training every year expecting to win it all, and more often than not you guys get preetty close. Of course, if I had Rivera I'd get pretty close, too. My White Sox would get close every year... That attitude, that success, has always made the Yankees easy to love — and, let’s face it, easy to hate as well.For a White Sox fan like me, it’s painful to watch Mariano’s cutter when it’s against my team, or to see the Yankees wrap up the pennant while the Sox are struggling on the South Side. Although I do remember 2005, people, so don’t get too comfortable." Video below (longer video after the jump):

Manager Joe Girardi presented him with a number "27" jersey signed by all the players. Unsurprisingly, there was some trash-talking from the Yankees: As Girardi brought out the trophy, assistant GM Jean Alterman said to Obama, "You might want to hold it, you might not get another chance." The crowd "ooh"ed and laughed; Obama said, "And you wonder why other teams don't root for you."

Captain Derek Jeter, who marked his fifth visit to the White House, said, "You don't just get invited to the White House to say hello. Obviously, you have to achieve something. We were very fortunate to have a great year last year. And Alex Rodriguez said, "This was my first time, and it was a real honor to be in front of the President. To achieve something like this, this is a big reward."

Before the White House, the Yankees visited the Walter Reed Medical Center and met with wounded soldiers. Girardi said, "To watch what they were going through, whether they were missing a leg or an arm ... to see the heart and the drive in these guys is really pretty amazing .. It really kind of breaks your heart, seeing the sacrifices that they make to serve our country and protect it."