Free Republic

Lifestyles of the hip and famous keep on rolling for the world-champion Chula Vista Park View Little Leaguers. The boys were bused to Burbank yesterday for an appearance last night on “The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien.” Never mind that most of the 12- and 13-year-olds didn't know Conan O'Brien from Conan the Barbarian. “Nope,” said Park View second baseman Bulla Graft. “Never heard of him.” After O'Brien's monologue and Sandra Bullock's appearance to promote her new movie, up to the stage stepped all 12 players, wearing baby-blue T-shirts and gray baseball pants — and earning the audience's hearty applause.

Michael Jordan did it in 1991. Some members of the U.S. Ryder Cup team threatened to do it in 1993. Bobby Jenks, Scott Podsednik, Freddy Garcia, Tadahito Iguchi and Frank Thomas will do it Monday. But the only person we're talking about is Ozzie, Ozzie, Ozzie. White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen is hardly the first person to decline an invitation to visit the White House. But judging from the local furor, you might think otherwise. Mayor Daley, a Sox fan, seems to think Guillen has become too big for his britches. Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf would prefer that Guillen cut...

CHICAGO -- Getting the chance to privately tour the White House in the nation's capital and meet with President Bush would be a fairly interesting and exciting experience, in and of itself, for any average American citizen. Being recognized for their 2005 World Series title by President Bush after their tour, as announced Thursday by White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan, simply adds to that particular brand of excitement. But for Aaron Rowand, the Gold Glove caliber center fielder who was traded to Philadelphia just a month after the celebration ended, Monday's trip holds an even higher level of personal...

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- On the White House's first floor, beside a four-piece Marine band, outside the Blue Room with its postcard view of the Washington Monument, Jack McKeon looked around early Friday afternoon and said, "I'm dying. I need a cigar." He pulled back his suit jacket. He revealed two thick Padrón cigars stuck from his shirt pocket. He winked. "I'm gonna give one to the president," the Marlins' manager said. Did you expect anything less?