US PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA welcomed the San Francisco Giants to the White House yesterday for a special ceremony to celebrate the franchise’s victory in last year’s World Series.

And so the stage was set for one of the president’s most eagerly-anticipated engagements — a meeting with eccentric closer Brian Wilson.

Famed for his iconic jet black beard and his somewhat unusual fashion sense, Wilson arrived in a pinstripe suit, accompanied by team-mate Tim Lincecum, Giants legend Willie Mays, and a host of other team officials.

Addressing the gathering, Obama broke off from his speech to single the three-time All Star out .

“And then there’s the guy with the beard, where’s he?” he asked, before turning to Wilson and telling him “I do fear it,” a reference to the star’s trademark “Fear the Beard” slogan.

Have you guys seen the Sportscenter ad on ESPN where it starts doing a dance?

But all jokes aside, Obama was quick to pay tribute to the man whose Game 5 save captured the Giants’ first World Series trophy since 1954.

“Underneath Brian’s beard, and the Spandex tuxedo, and the sea captain costume, and the cleats with his face on them,” Obama said,  ”is also one of the most dominant closers in baseball.”