Nationals GM: "We weren't trying to make a political statement" visiting the White House

[gratuitous]

Do you believe him?

Link to USA Today story here.

Nationals GM Mike Rizzo on White House visit: 'We weren't trying to make a political statement'

The Nats received widespread backlash for being too chummy with the president, and catcher Kurt Suzuki was lambasted for putting on a "Make America Great Again" cap to take the podium as Trump hugged him from behind.

“We weren’t trying to make a political statement, whatsoever,’’ general manager Mike Rizzo told USA TODAY Sports in a wide-ranging conversation about the club's crucial offseason. “We just thought that the honor and the tradition of champions being invited to the White House and the office of the president, and especially us being the hometown team in their backyard two miles away from the capital, is something that should be done.

Sounds all neat and above-board, right? Consider what else Mr. Rizzo said:

“You’re in a situation where you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t," Rizzo said. "I don’t have a political bone in my body. I vote for who I want. I don’t care what the party is. I vote every election. I’m listed as an Independent. My dad was a city worker in the city of Chicago for 45 years. We voted Democrat for the [Richard] Daleys a lot. I voted Republican sometimes.

Rizzo has voted Democrat, folks! He's not political at all! Anyone buying this?

[luvs2sing]

1. Bullshit.

That is all. 🐂🐂🐂

[Bleacher Creature]

2. From May to the end of October, that team built up huge amounts of goodwill.

And they proceeded to flush it all down the toilet in 40 minutes or so.

[stopdiggin]

3. But you did. And others didn't. The end. (nt)

[elleng]

4. gratuitous indeed,

let's do our best to make a fuss about matters of such importance.

[gratuitous]

5. I sincerely apologize

My goodness! Your deep concern is duly noted. Thankyouthankyouthankyou for taking the time to weigh in with your invaluable insight! I hang my head in shame.

[malaise]

6. Real Dems say I voted Democratic not Democrat

Hmmmmmmmmm!

[PJMcK]

7. Hey, Rizzo!

You do know that the White House and the presidency are political, don't you?

Did you not notice that some of your team boycotted the visit? Did you ever consider why?

Your comment that you don't have "a political bone in your body" is rather specious since you acknowledge that you always vote. Can you see the dissonance in your two statements?

Not for nothing but when Suzuki donned the MAGA hat, he turned the entire event into a political one. Do you have any plans to discipline him? He single-handedly turned the team's visit into a political rally for Trump. Is that how the people of the United States should view baseball's champions, as Trump supporters? Or great baseball players?

I'm curious if your bosses had any opinions about the visit. Care to share?

Then, with a straight face, you claim, "We weren't trying to make a political statement."

Dumb jock.

[RockRaven]

8. Shorter version: "We want it both ways. Why can't you just let us have that?"

Fuck off you turd. Anyone enabling the orange traitor in any way deserves whatever spankings they get.

[LoveMyCali]

9. They weren't making a political statement

They just wanted the hamberders.