President Joe Biden hosts World Series champion Atlanta Braves at White House

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden said Monday the Atlanta Braves will be «forever known as the upset kings of October» for their improbable 2021 World Series win, as he welcomed the team to the White House for a victory celebration.

Biden called the series an «unstoppable, joyful run.» The team got its White House victory visit in with just over a week left before the 2022 regular season wraps up and playoffs begin again. The Braves are 1½ games out first place in the National League East. Chief executive officer Terry McGuirk said he hoped they'd be back to the White House soon.

In August 2021, the Braves were a mess, playing barely at .500. But then they started winning. And they kept doing it, clinching the World Series in six games over the Houston Astros.

Biden called their come-from-behind win one of «history's greatest turnarounds.»

«This team has literally been part of American history for over 150 years,» Biden said. «But none of it came easy… people counting you out. Heck, I know something about being counted out.»

Players lined up on risers behind Biden, grinning and waving to the crowd, but the player most discussed was one who hasn't been on the team in nearly 50 years and who died last year: Hall of Famer Hank Aaron.

Hammerin' Hank was the home run king for 33 years, dethroning Babe Ruth with a homer to center field on April 8, 1974. He was one of the most famous players for Atlanta and in baseball history, a vocal and clear-eyed chronicler of the many hardships thrown his way — from the poverty and segregation of his Alabama youth to the racist threats he faced during his pursuit of one of America's most hallowed records. He died in January 2021 at age 86.

«This team is defined by the courage of Hank