Dodgers visit White House, Ohtani recognized
The Los Angeles Dodgers, World Series champions, visited the White House on Thursday for the second consecutive year. President Donald Trump hosted the team, acknowledging their achievements and specifically highlighting star player Shohei Ohtani.
During a ceremony held in the Rose Garden, the team presented the president with a custom jersey and a World Series championship ring. Notable attendees included Shohei Ohtani, first baseman Freddie Freeman, and manager Dave Roberts. However, some players, such as shortstop Mookie Betts and utility man Kike Hernández, did not attend.
President Trump praised the team, stating, “Special winners, unbelievable. I would not be surprised to see them back here again.” He also made a comparison between Ohtani and legendary slugger Babe Ruth, and commended Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers ace who pitched in a previous World Series Game 3 victory.
Ohtani’s remarkable career highlighted
President Trump specifically recognized Shohei Ohtani for his accomplishments, noting that no player in 150 years of Major League Baseball had earned more than one unanimous league MVP until Ohtani. He highlighted Ohtani’s performance in the 2025 season, where he secured a third consecutive unanimous league MVP.
Ohtani’s career reached new heights across the 2024 and 2025 seasons, hitting 99 home runs and leading the National League with a 1.025 OPS during that period. After elbow surgery, he returned to pitching in 2025, achieving a 2.87 ERA and 11.9 strikeouts per nine innings. He is the only player in MLB history with over 300 plate appearances and more than 40 innings pitched in six separate seasons.
Trump also referenced the 1920 trade of Babe Ruth from the Boston Red Sox to the New York Yankees, calling it the worst trade in sports history. He noted that Ruth, at 19, was exchanged for a 36-year-old third baseman and $100,000, along with a $300,000 loan for Fenway Park.
Currently, Ohtani is having another strong season, with a .283 batting average, 22 home runs, 60 RBI, and six stolen bases in 94 games as a hitter. As a pitcher, he holds an 8-2 record with a 1.79 ERA in 14 starts, though he recently missed a start due to a knee issue.
Team attendance and White House tradition
The Dodgers’ visit sparked mixed reactions among some fans due to recent actions by the Trump administration in Los Angeles. Mookie Betts, who also did not attend a previous White House visit during Trump’s first term, stated he preferred to spend the day with his family. Kike Hernández, a critic of certain policies, cited a conflicting injury rehab assignment but indicated he would not have participated even if available. Pitcher Edgardo Henriquez also reportedly did not attend.
Manager Dave Roberts commented on the invitation earlier this year, expressing his hope for annual invitations as it signifies winning a championship. He emphasized his role as a baseball coach, not a politician, and noted that visiting the White House is a long-standing tradition for championship teams.
Championship-winning teams are traditionally invited to the White House to celebrate their victories. During Trump’s first term, several teams, including champions from the NBA and WNBA, either declined or were not invited. This year, the White House has also hosted the Olympic gold-winning US men’s hockey team and the NHL’s Florida Panthers. The Oklahoma City Thunder, the 2025 NBA champions, opted not to visit, and a decision is pending for the 2026 champion New York Knicks, who received an invitation.
President Trump mentioned speaking with Roberts before the event and expressed surprise at the Dodgers’ current status as the best team in baseball, attributing his lack of awareness to being occupied with other matters.
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Source: theguardian.com
