President Donald Trump extended a warm welcome to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the 2025 World Series champions, during their visit to the White House on Thursday. This marked the team’s second White House visit in as many years following a championship victory. In a ceremony held in the Rose Garden, the Dodgers gifted Trump with a custom jersey and a replica of their World Series championship ring. The president commended the team on their successful season and expressed optimism about their potential to win future titles.
The event saw the attendance of several prominent Dodgers players, including Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and team manager Dave Roberts. Notably absent were players like Mookie Betts and Kiké Hernández. During his speech, Trump congratulated the team and shared anecdotes about baseball legends such as Babe Ruth and former Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. He also mistakenly referred to retired veteran pitcher Clayton Kershaw as an active player, despite Kershaw having retired following the previous season’s World Series.
As he accepted the championship ring from the Dodgers, Trump humorously remarked, “Do I have to report this? I don’t want to report this,” before tucking the ring into his jacket pocket. The visit, however, elicited mixed reactions from Dodgers fans, particularly in light of recent immigration enforcement actions and protests in Los Angeles tied to Trump administration policies.
Mookie Betts explained his absence by saying he preferred to spend the day with his family. Meanwhile, Kiké Hernández, an outspoken critic of immigration raids in Los Angeles, opted out due to a rehabilitation session, stating he would have declined the invitation regardless. Manager Dave Roberts defended the choice to attend, emphasizing that the visit was meant to honor an enduring sports tradition, separate from political discourse.
Visits to the White House by championship teams have long been an American tradition, though participation can vary depending on players’ personal beliefs and political stances. Despite differing opinions, the Dodgers’ visit underscored the ongoing nature of this custom in the sports world.