WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 17: St. Louis Cardinals owner William DeWitt (L) hands a baseball bat to first lady Michelle Obama as U.S. President Barack Obama looks on during an event celebrating the 2011 Major League Baseball World Series champions in the East Room of the White House January 17, 2012 in Washington, DC. Noticably absent from the congratulatory event are the team’s former 1st baseman Albert Pujols and former manager Tony La Russa.