MLB

Jon Lester: Missing Cubs White House trip 'absolutely nothing political'

A.J. Perez
USA TODAY Sports

Jon Lester was one of four current Chicago Cubs players who were on the roster for the franchise’s first World Series title in more than a century to miss Monday’s White House visit.

Chicago Cubs pitcher Jon Lester threw 35 2/3 innings in the 2016 postseason, posting a 2.02 ERA and 0.93 WHIP.

The Cubs ace said on Twitter on Tuesday that his decision had nothing to do with President Obama, who is set to cede the Oval Office to President-elect Donald Trump on Friday.

“For those of you so quick to jump to conclusions, we had a death in the family and the funeral was yesterday,” Lester wrote. “Absolutely nothing political.”

Three other Cubs (all pitchers) missed the ceremony: Hector Rondon, Jake Arrieta and John Lackey.

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Arrieta said he had to deal with some family medical issues in Texas and was unable to make the White House trip. Arrieta said at the Cubs fan convention last weekend that he didn’t care who was in office and didn’t even vote in the general election when asked about a post-election tweet.

"People can believe I'm politically this way or that way,” Arieta said, according to CSN Chicago. “That's not the case. It's pretty simple, my political stance. I don't consider myself a Democrat or a Republican. I want a president who's going to do a good job. That's where I stand."

Lester had some fun with the election after some Twitter users mixed him up with NBC News anchor Lester Holt, who moderated one of the debates between Trump and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.