from the New York Times

May 5, 2001

By BUSTER OLNEY

BALTIMORE, May 4 — Most of the Yankees had been to the White House at least once already, and some would have probably preferred to sleep in and bypass the trip. But after President Bush took them through the Oval Office, after he playfully teased the team's principal owner, George Steinbrenner, some players told Manager Joe Torre what a great time they had today.

"That was awesome," said reliever Mike Stanton, who drew special attention from Mr. Bush today.

Players recalled that the last time they went to the White House to celebrate a World Series championship, with President Clinton in the summer of 1999, they did a lot of waiting, their contact with Clinton felt scripted and they did not go through the Oval Office.

But today's visit seemed different with Mr. Bush. "He seemed so relaxed," Torre said.

Mr. Bush, a former owner of the Texas Rangers, welcomed the Yankees in the Rose Garden, mentioning Torre's playing career, noting Don Zimmer's presence and referring to how kids might mimic Derek Jeter's movements or try throwing like Mariano Rivera.

The players, dressed in suits, stood in the sun, some wearing sunglasses. Mr. Bush spoke of the relatively large contingent of Yankees who come from his home state, Texas, mentioning Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte and Chuck Knoblauch by name — and forgetting Stanton.

Clemens, Paul O'Neill, Tino Martinez and Rivera presented the president with several gifts, wrapping up the official ceremony. But Mr. Bush took the Yankees into the Oval Office, and as he began to talk about some items in the room, Steinbrenner cut in to ask about where one club official was standing.

Without pausing, Mr. Bush turned and said, "Only George Steinbrenner would interrupt the president of the United States."

The Yankees players burst out laughing, with Steinbrenner smiling and pointing a finger at Mr. Bush, and the president pointing at Steinbrenner.

"For a moment, I kind of forgot I was in the Oval Office and thought I was in a locker room," Bernie Williams said. "Two guys cracking one-liners at each other."

The players stood individually for pictures with Mr. Bush. When it was Stanton's turn, the president apologized profusely for not including him among the names of the Texans and joked that he was going to have to fire his speechwriter. Mr. Bush then asked all of the Texans to stand together for a picture.