White Sox meet with Obama during White House tour

A GREAT MOMENT' | President Obama embraces favorite team during tour

The White Sox got to meet the First Fan during their tour of the White House on Monday, and Octavio Dotel made sure to embrace the moment.

When President Obama greeted each member of the Sox' party individually, Dotel, a relief pitcher from the Dominican Republic, asked for -- and received -- a hug instead of a handshake.

''This is a guy I've been following,'' Dotel told a pool reporter. ''It's exciting to see him. He's such a powerful man. I never met him before, and it's really neat to be around him.

''Just to be close to him and have that chance ... I saw the opportunity to ask for a hug. He said, 'Of course.' That was really nice of him. He knows a lot about us. He noticed that we've been playing well lately. He's a big fan. I can tell he really enjoyed [the visit].''

Not as much as the group of Sox players, staff, front-office personnel and family members, totaling about 30. The Sox had the day off before beginning a series in Baltimore tonight.

''We got to see everything,'' Dotel said of the tour. ''All we needed to see is where he lives. I'm telling you, it was great.''

Dotel had been to the White House as a member of the Houston Astros when George W. Bush was in office, but the team didn't get to meet Bush -- let alone hug him.

''Nothing against President Bush, but this was a totally different feeling,'' Dotel said. ''President Obama was there, and he knows the White Sox.''

One key face of the organization who was not present was manager Ozzie Guillen, who spent the day off at his home in Miami before catching up with the team this morning. Guillen's trip was planned long before there was talk of a White House tour, so it was by no means a slight.

The Sox presented Obama with a black jersey with his name and No. 1 on the back, as well as autographed baseballs, T-shirts and caps. He took several photos with the group and told the Sox to keep winning so he can invite them back as World Series champions.

Even that might not top Monday's experience for Dotel.

''It was like I won the World Series,'' he said. ''I was sweating and nervous. But it was a great moment.''