WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has welcomed the world champion New York Yankees to the White House.

The president greeted the team, coaches and staff in a ceremony in the East Room.

Earlier in the day, members of the team visited war wounded at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

The White House visit was the fifth for the Yankees core four — Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and Jorge Posada — who have a handful of championship rings. They've met three presidents — Bill Clinton in the 1990s, George W. Bush in 2001 and now Obama.

The Yankees won the World Series in six games last year, defeating the Philadelphia Phillies. It was New York's 27th title.