US President Donald Trump welcomed the 2018 World Series champion Boston Red Sox to the White House on Thursday but several star players and the manager skipped the visit to protest his policies. "Congratulations on your incredible victory," Trump said in brief remarks, during which he did not make any references to the absent members of the team. He said the Red Sox, who beat the Los Angeles Dodgers four games to one in last year's World Series after winning 108 games during the regular season, were a "very special team."