White House Press Secretary Jay Carney Mourns Red Sox Elimination During Press Briefings

The heartbreak from Wednesday's Red Sox collapse and Rays triumph was felt in Washington, D.C. During Thursday and Friday's press briefings at the White House, press secretary Jay Carney opened with news about the Red Sox.

"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. It's a sad day," began Carney on Thursday, to which reporters responded with laughter. "I was reminded by the travesty that occurred sometime after midnight for Red Sox fans, that there’s a reason you play the game."

Asked if there was some sort of analogy, Carney replied, "Sports is life."

A Baltimore native but a fan of the Red Sox, Carney offered his congratulations to the Rays, but admitted it was a "sad day."

On Friday, Carney was asked if he agreed with Sox fans wanting Terry Francona fired.

"I do not support that," he said. "Tito was manager for the first two World Series victories in a long, long time for the Boston Red Sox, so Red Sox Nation owes him greatly."

As for being a Boston fan but growing up in Baltimore, Carney admitted the Orioles didn't appeal to him.

"I'm a Red Sox fan because I grew up here without a team and I never really — the whole Baltimore thing didn't work for me," he said.