It's official -- the Chicago Cubs are headed to the White House Monday, marking an unusually quick visit for a World Series team as they join President Barack Obama in the final days of his presidency.
The White House announced the news Thursday though the visit was widely reported just before Obama's farewell speech Tuesday.
White House press secretary Josh Earnest also confirmed the visit Wednesday and said Obama “is really looking forward to it.”
The visit will take place at 12:05 p.m. CT.
"The visit will continue the tradition begun by President Obama for honoring sports teams for their efforts to give back to their communities," a statement from the White House said.
The move is slightly unusual. The reigning World Series champions normally make the traditional White House visit during the following MLB season.
The Cubs, who ended a 108-year title drought in Game 7 against the Cleveland Indians, were hoping to get to Washington, D.C., before Obama left office. Though the president is a White Sox fan, he calls Chicago home and rooted for the North Siders since his team didn't make the playoffs.
Chicago Baseball
NBC 5's Mary Ann Ahern first reported the visit on Tuesday.
The president invited the Cubs to the White House in a phone call to Joe Maddon following the team's victory, and with the club all assembled in Chicago for this weekend's Cubs Convention, arranging travel to Washington D.C. was a solution that worked out well for the team to see the president.
While the Cubs visit to the White House comes five days before president-elect Donald Trump's inauguration, the team will still have a connection to the new administration. Trump has nominated Cubs co-owner Todd Ricketts as deputy commerce secretary. Ricketts will join his sister, co-owner Laura Ricketts, brother, co-owner Tom Ricketts, and the team at the presidential reception.
The Cubs will be the second Chicago team to visit the Obama's White House. The president also hosted the Chicago Blackhawks after their three Stanley Cup championships since 2010.
