In Washington, President Trump hosted a congratulatory ceremony at the White House to honor Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and the Los Angeles Dodgers for their victory in last season’s World Series. Trump lauded the “very talented people” for overcoming the New York Yankees in a decisive five-game series. During the event, Trump humorously opted out of introducing certain Democratic senators, citing personal preferences. This celebration occurred on a hectic Monday for U.S. markets as Trump reiterated his stance on tariffs.
In his address, Trump acknowledged several Dodgers players for their impressive performances. He highlighted Ohtani for setting a new milestone as baseball’s first player to achieve 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. He also commended Japanese pitcher Yoshi Yamamoto and National League Championship Series MVP Tommy Edman. The President took the opportunity to commend Betts and playfully criticized the Boston Red Sox for their decision to trade him to the Dodgers, sharing a handshake with the star outfielder.
Interestingly, Betts, previously with the Boston Red Sox during their 2018 championship win, never attended the White House celebration in 2019. Betts, on the Dodgers when they won the 2020 World Series, participated in this year’s event hosted by President Joe Biden. Addressing his decision to attend, the 32-year-old Betts, the only returning Black player from last season’s team, emphasized his intent was not politically motivated but rather a mark of unity with his teammates.
The Dodgers’ manager, Dave Roberts, described the invitation to the White House as an exceptional honor, one every World Series champion should experience. Roberts noted that while there wasn’t a structured discussion about attending the ceremony, the opportunity was deemed special by the team.
The occasion came shortly after a webpage detailing Jackie Robinson’s military service was reinstated by the Department of Defense. This occurred after a handful of webpages, including those recognizing a Black Medal of Honor recipient and Japanese American servicemen, were mistakenly removed amidst a broader review of content emphasizing the contributions of women and minorities.
Although historical Dodgers figures like Robinson weren’t mentioned during the event, Trump briefly spoke about former New York Yankees owner and friend George Steinbrenner, humorously alluding to his famously short patience with managers while complimenting Dave Roberts.
The Dodgers co-owner, Mark Walter, alongside pitcher Clayton Kershaw, made brief remarks. Kershaw presented Trump with a Dodgers jersey emblazoned with the number 47. Trump hinted at his belief in the Dodgers’ potential to reclaim their championship title, noting their impressive start to the current season.
In tandem with the MLB celebration, the NHL’s Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers previously visited the White House earlier in February during Trump’s second term. Furthermore, the NFL Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles have accepted an invitation to the White House set for April 28.