President Obama to host Cubs at White House on Monday

TheChicago Cubswill take up President Barack Obama on his invitation to visit the White House before his departure next week.

The White House announced that the team will be honored on Monday at 1 p.m. ET.

Obama extended the invitation to manager Joe Maddon during a congratulatory telephone call in early November as he flew back to Washington aboard Air Force One.

White House press secretary Josh Earnest said Wednesday that Obama is "really looking forward to it" and that any sports fan could appreciate "the historic run that the Chicago Cubs had through the playoffs and to a World Series title this year."

Obama also tweeted the invitation shortly after the Cubs won their first championship since 1908 by defeating the Cleveland Indians 8-7 in 10 innings.

The Cubs aren't Obama's preferred baseball team; his loyalties lie with the White Sox.

White House spokesman Eric Schultz said Obama rooted for the Cubs because he's from Chicago and the White Sox didn't make it to the championship.

Obama said the championship "is actually, for Cubs fans, the greatest thing since sliced bread."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.