Our Trip to the White House

Wanted to wait to post this when I got some photos and finally did. One of our guys took a couple nice shots I'd thought I'd share. One of the days we were in DC, a few of us players (Reggie Willits, Justin Speier, Robb Quinlan) and staff got a tour of the White House, mostly the East Wing and some of the West Wing. I really had to pinch myself because it was surreal. I guess since 9/11 they don't do public tours so I definitely felt privileged to be there. We got a chance to see the Oval Office and the Rose Garden during our visit back in 2003 after we won the World Series but this time we spent about two hours there. Our tour guide was a former sniper with the secret service. This guy was great, knew all the ins and outs to the White House and gave us some great insight. He took us down to the basement where there is a bowling alley. I got to roll a ball and left three pins standing. You know I would have picked up the spare but we each threw just one. Parts of the White House were closed because the President was visiting with the Prime Minister from Vietnam. We saw all the formal rooms which were very regal looking, the red room, the blue room and the green room. We also saw the Oval Office and some of the other rooms in the White House. The whole time I kept thinking about how many famous people had stepped foot in this building and how many important and private discussions regarding our country took place. I had a sense of pride walking through there as an American citizen. It truly was an experience of a lifetime. Thanks for reading the blog y'all. Got the Rangers tonight.

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• John_Lackey said July 07, 2008

  One more shot - Washington Monument - my guy can shoot

  

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• squints said July 07, 2008

  Any photos of you bowling?
  

  

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  • BrockSamson replied July 08, 2008

    Isn't Obama turning that into a basketball court?
• JackBam said July 08, 2008

  Nice post, John. Your sense of Pride really came through. Good for You.

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• BookerT said July 08, 2008

  I heard they have a glow in the dark map all over the presidents ceiling in his office showing where the oil reserves are.
  
  brock got a negative for obama wanting a bball court hahaha..Plus 1 for useeee..
  
  nice article..i go to DC every year, here is one of the best photos i took...he would get my vote based only on eccentricity, other than that dude was a clown...

  

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• Sjctrojan said July 08, 2008

  I can't believe they would let anybody from Grayson County into the White House. Where is Homeland Security when you need them. I'm just joking I had to give you a hard time since I played at Seminole Junior College. It pretty cool that you do a blog so all of us wannabes can see what it is like in the day and life of a Major League Baseball player. Being around Seminole you see a lot of guys that have been in the bigs or are in the bigs and they are just everyday people like us. I talked to you once in spring training. When I was at Seminole we took a trip to play in AZ and you were shagging balls in left field and saw my Seminole shirt it was a pretty cool experience

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• denfig said July 09, 2008

  Can hardley wait for the game tonight. Will have to TIVO it to watch when I get home from work, too early of a start there in Texas. Don't like to miss one play. I am sure you enjoy being home, even with the heat. You are one of the best, keep it up. Loved hearing about you and the guys getting to visit the White House, and the pictures are great. Who knew the Presidents were bowlers.

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• denfig said July 09, 2008

  

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• lizmoses said July 11, 2008

  Don't you remember me John......I was Jeff Byrd's girlfriend aka zipit.......you are my very best friend, I love and miss you alot......I went to all the games in Texas, and the team told me you were still a very nice guy.....I'm all grown up now, just stayed in school until I got two degrees. I think about you all the time, and I'm always praying for you. I've dreamt of you many nights.....couldn't sleep, not even last night. I go see you every chance I get.....I waited all night for you to show up at the W....so tonight I'll be at the Cresent just to watch the plane pass threw the overhead. It was a great game tonight and I enjoyed watching you pitch.............can't wait to see you again.
  Liz Moses

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• lightitup said July 11, 2008

  Congrats on the new Angel record, Big John! That was some wild game last night. Rest up that arm over the All Star break so you can return to full strength. Gotta think you've got a little dead arm cycle going. Perfect time for an 8 day breather! Sure was good to see the bats having your back last night!

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• Eddog44 said July 11, 2008

  What's happenin Jonny! Such a promising start to the season and now your last two starts go poorly. I think the problem has been location of your pitches, especially your curveball, you were locating it better earlier in the season. I know you'll bounce back for a strong seacond half. My prediction...15-6, 3.21 ERA. Good luck rest of the way!

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• dsiano6447 said July 16, 2008

  Hi John, I just happen to be in Washington DC when I read about your trip to the White House. I also have pictures. What a fun trip. I saw the place where Lincoln died. Thank you so much for sharing that with us. Your a cool guy. Donna

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• dsiano6447 said July 16, 2008

  

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• dsiano6447 said July 16, 2008

  

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