Obama declares end to Redsock combat mission

SAYS IS "TIME TO TURN THE PAGE" ON BOSTON RIVALRY

WASHINGTON — President Obama declared an end on Tuesday to the seven-month American League East combat mission in Boston, saying that the Yankees have met their responsibility to that depressed nation and that it is now time to turn to pressing problems at home.

In a prime-time address from the Oval Office, Mr. Obama balanced praise for the troops who fought valiantly in losing games with his conviction that trading Johnny Damon had been a mistake in the first place. But he also used the moment to emphasize that he sees his primary job as preparing for the playoffs -- and to make clear that he intends to resign Johnny Damon next summer.

“We have sent our young men and women -- by 'women,' I'm referring to the ladies of booth and sideline, of course -- to make enormous sacrifices in Boston, and spent vast resources on bullpen help at a time of tight free agent budgets at home,” Mr. Obama said. “Through this remarkable chapter in the history of the Yankees and Boston, we have met our responsibility. Hell, they traded Manny Delacarmen yesterday. Shaughnessy has thrown in the towel. It’s time to turn the page and move onward -- driven by Jeep.”