Jonny Gomes Calls Not Being Invited To White House By Royals 'Worst News Of My Professional Baseball Career'
Nobody has celebrated more for doing less than Jonny Gomes since the Kansas City Royals won the 2015 World Series last fall.
The Royals acquired Gomes from the Atlanta Braves on August 31 of last year to be a right-handed bat off the bench and, of course, be a “clubhouse guy”, which is the baseball way of saying that we just traded for a cheerleader. That’s essentially all Gomes was for the Royals, as he hit .167 in 34 plate appearances over 12 games during the regular season, and wasn’t even on the postseason roster. That didn’t stop Gomes from highjacking the World Series parade, acting like he had been with the Royals for 15 years, and this was finally his shining moment as the most notable Kansas City Royal since George Brett. 12 games. He was there for 12 games.
Much like every championship team does, the Royals will be visiting the White House, and they did not invite Jonny Gomes. He is upset about this.
“I’ve been sent down. I’ve been non-tendered, whatever,” Gomes said. “But this is probably the worst news of my professional baseball career.”
“I’m not trying to throw an egg on anyone’s face,” Gomes said. “But a lot of people are asking me, ‘Hey, are you going to wear that American flag jacket? Is Obama going to ask you to make that speech again?’ It would be pretty cool. This is probably going to be Obama’s last championship team before he leaves office.”
“It wasn’t maybe a top-five reason for me to leave Japan. But one of the first things that hit my mind once I signed the contract to go to Japan was, ‘Oh shit, I’m going to miss the White House trip.
“Being from a military background, being patriotic … I think that is one of the most epic rewards of winning a championship, getting that honor to go to the White House, be on stage, hang with the president,” continued Gomes, who planned to join the Marines before the Rays selected him in the 18th round of the 2001 draft.
“I was like, ‘The list is full, and I can’t take anyone with me?'” Gomes said. “It kind of caught me off-guard. ‘The list is full, and I’m not on it?'”
I still cringe every time I watch that World Series parade speech. I couldn’t even imagine showing up to a new team, being there for as little time as he was, contributing as little as he did, not even making the postseason roster, and then crowbarring my way into being the central focus of a championship parade. It just screams douche. But then I read these comments, and I’m like…dude. Have some fucking self awareness one time for me. YOU DID NOTHING TO WIN THIS CHAMPIONSHIP. He just wants to wear his American flag suit and hog all the attention, AGAIN, for a moment that belongs to a team that he wasn’t even a part of. No wonder they don’t want him there, but here’s the explanation the Royals actually gave.
“We’re a very inclusive organization. We recognize the great efforts of all of our people who contributed,” said Moore, noting that ownership purchased about 700 World Series rings for employees.
“I wish everyone could be a part of this. Unfortunately, there is a limit on the travel party, and it’s somewhat restrictive.”
When the Red Sox won the World Series in 2013, relief pitcher Edward Mujica was at the White House for that World Series celebration the following year. Not only did Mujica not pitch in that World Series for the Red Sox, not only was he not on Boston’s postseason roster at any point, he was actually on the team that the Red Sox beat in the World Series that year. He signed with the Red Sox two months AFTER they won the World Series. Of course the Royals could’ve taken Gomes to the White House if they wanted to. They just don’t want to, and I can’t say I blame them.