Obama Teases Cubs During Yankees White House Visit (VIDEO)

President Obama hosted the 2009 World Series champion New York Yankees at the White House Tuesday, praising the team for their achievements on and off the field.

The President, a noted White Sox fan, praised Mark Teixeira's scholarship fund at his hometown high school; Jorge Posada's charity work around the rare birth defect craniosynostosis; and Derek Jeter's class and respect for the game.

He also griped about the hardships of rooting against the talent-stacked powerhouse, and especially the Yanks' legendary closer:

"This is a team that goes down to spring training every year expecting to win it all, and more often than not, you guys get pretty close," Obama said. "Of course if I had [Mariano] Rivera I'd get pretty close too. My White Sox would get close every year."

And, in true Sox-fan form, he couldn't miss an opportunity to take a shot at his team's crosstown rivals.

"It's been nine years since your last title...which must have felt like eternity for Yankee fans," Obama said. "I think other teams would be just fine with a spell like that. The Cubs, for example."

WATCH the President zing the Cubs below. The full video of the President's remarks is here, at ESPN. Thanks to Chicagoist for the tip.