Dodgers will visit President Trump at the White House!
The Los Angeles Dodgers will visit the White House on April 7, upholding the long-standing MLB tradition of championship teams meeting with the sitting U.S. president. The team’s visit coincides with their road trip to Washington, D.C., where they are set to play the Nationals. The following day, the Dodgers will also make an appearance at the Capitol.
The Dodgers secured their White House visit after clinching the World Series last year, defeating the New York Yankees in a five-game showdown. However, questions lingered about whether the team would accept the invitation, especially given the political climate and previous instances of teams opting out. The Dodgers had not made any official announcements until Tuesday, just two weeks before the scheduled visit.
In comparison, the Philadelphia Eagles, who avoided visiting the White House during Donald Trump’s first term, confirmed their visit after winning the Super Bowl this year much earlier than the Dodgers. Nonetheless, the Dodgers made their stance clear just minutes before manager Dave Roberts addressed the media before a spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels.
“I respect the position. It’s the highest office in our country, certainly in the world. So I’m looking forward to it,” Roberts said, per Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times.
This will mark the Dodgers’ second White House visit in recent years. Following their 2020 World Series victory, the team waited until the summer of 2021 to make the trip under President Joe Biden’s administration, rather than visiting immediately while Trump was still in office.
While the Dodgers as a team have committed to visiting the White House, not every player may participate. Star shortstop Mookie Betts has yet to decide whether he will make the trip. In 2019, Betts declined an invitation to the White House after winning the World Series with the Boston Red Sox, joining several of his teammates and then-manager Alex Cora in skipping the event.
Betts is taking a similar approach this time, telling reporters that he plans to discuss the decision with his family before making a final call.
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“I won’t be going there,” Betts had told the Boston Globe in 2019. While he hasn’t ruled out attending this time, his history suggests he may opt-out again.
Roberts, who was previously vocal about his reluctance to visit during Trump’s first term, will be attending the event this year. The Dodgers’ trip continues a longstanding tradition, but individual players will ultimately decide for themselves whether to take part.
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