Here's why the Red Sox gave Donald Trump a jersey No. 18 – not No. 45

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Sorry, Hamilton.

The Bruins played in the opening game of the Eastern Conference final on Thursday night in a 5-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, scoring two goals in 11 seconds from Charlie Coyle and Chris Wagner at the end of third third. Watch the highlights here. The second match is Sunday at 15 hours. In Boston.

Wagnah with the daggah.@ chriswags23 | #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/0dQCHaZKqm

– Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) May 10, 2019

The Red Sox had a day off and visited the White House. Talking about that…

Why did not the Red Sox give Donald Trump a No. 45 jersey?

President Donald Trump could technically be the 44th person to hold the US presidency. But as the 45th president, Trump often got his custom shirt number 45 from the championship winning teams – from New England patriots to Washington capitals, to the North Dakota State Bison football team – to thank them for welcoming them to White House.

Not so Thursday.

The Red Sox instead awarded Trump a No. 18 jersey at the ceremony on Thursday, in honor of their winning season in the World Series.

Why?

Red Sox spokeswoman Zineb Curran said she has taken two different approaches in the past.

After winning their first world series in 86 years, the team gave its 43rd president, George W. Bush, a jersey No. 43. However, when the Red Sox visited Bush for the second time after their title in 2007, they changed places and gave him a jersey No. 07 in the honor of their championship year. After all, who needs two identical sweaters?

When the Red Sox visited President Obama in 2013, they gave him a No. 44 jersey.

As during their visit to Obama, Thursday's event was the first visit of the Red Sox to Trump. But unlike numbers 43 or 44, the Red Sox retired from number 45 in the honor of Pedro Martinez. Curran confirmed that this was the reason why they instead awarded Trump a jersey # 18 (which was not removed).

"We chose to leave with the year this time because 45 is a retired number," Curran told Boston.com.

The Houston Astros of 2017, who have not yet retired from No. 45, also handed Trump a jersey with the number of their championship year during their visit to the White House last year.

Still, some Twitter fans congratulated the Red Sox for showing respect to Martinez by making their decision on Thursday. And as of others speculatedFormer number 18 Johnny Damon, who has been a staunch supporter of Trump, will probably not be bored.

Trivia: As you know, the Red Sox performed the traditional White House trip on Thursday. Who was the first professional sports team to visit the White House?

Hint: they had a very similar name.

(Check the answer at the bottom of the article.)

More from Boston.com:

It's funny: In tribute to Jackie Bradley Jr., Wednesday, on the occasion of the match to save the game. The globe of BostonAndrew Mahoney made a memorable trip by telling the seven best shots of the Red Sox center player – or, in fact, seven of his biggest catch. It becomes difficult to keep track of all. Be that as it may, this week was not the first time Bradley had stolen a good win.

Congratulations to Boston Red Socks Champion, World Champion Yes, the White House made a second foul on Thursday by honoring the Red Sox. Or should we say "red socks".

First, the White House calls them "red socks". Now, they seem to be the "champions of the World Cup Series". pic.twitter.com/oiZztyufs5

– Jonathan Lemire (@JonLemire) May 9, 2019

Hello, New England: The Patriots welcomed Thursday's first-round pick, N'Keal Harry, to Foxborough, and the rookie receiver is eager to get to work with Tom Brady.

"I was just waiting for me to get up here until I meet him in person," Harry said.

Welcome to the family, @ NkealHarry15. pic.twitter.com/kjNT7Wkgb2

– Patriots of New England (@Patriots) May 9, 2019

… and welcome back: Meanwhile, the Patriots brought back a familiar face: the half-tense 38-year-old Ben Watson. A first-round pick in 2004, Watson joins himself a tight-end team including Matt LaCosse, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Ryan Izzo and unwritten rookie Andrew Beck.

Exit interviews: The Celtics seem to have as many questions as their fans on the frustrating 2018-1901 season of this talented team, according to Jay King of The Athletic. As columnist David Aldridge summed it up: "WTF, Celtics?", Nicole Yang of Boston.com has more on what could be a turbulent season.

Marcus Smart on the idea that Kyrie Irving's leadership has ruined the Celtics: "Bullshit. It's just anything. " pic.twitter.com/xWPKIxp2Bw

– Nicole Yang (@nicolecyang) May 9, 2019

On this day: Forty-nine years ago to the day, one of the most iconic images of the history of sports in Boston was born.

Bruins legend Bobby Orr scored an overtime goal in the fourth game of the Stanley Cup final in 1970, completing a sweep of the St. Louis Blues four times and earning the trophy for Boston. The 22-year-old defenseman jumped into the air in joy, crystallizing a moment that most Boston fans simply consider "the goal".

"I looked back and I saw it coming in, so I jumped," Orr explained later.

Its almost horizontal celebration is now a statue outside the TD Garden.

In addition, exactly 20 years ago, on May 10, 1999, the Red Sox's short-name Red Garcaparra scored three home runs – including two Grand Slam tournaments – against the Seattle Mariners.