-
President Donald Trump greets manager Dave Roberts during a ceremony to honor the Major League Baseball 2024 World Series Champion Dodgers in the East Room of the White House, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
1 of 9
President Donald Trump greets manager Dave Roberts during a ceremony to honor the Major League Baseball 2024 World Series Champion Dodgers in the East Room of the White House, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Expand
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Praised by President Donald Trump for their “legendary season” and resiliency in pursuit of a championship – as well as for being “the best-looking people I’ve ever seen” – the Dodgers visited the White House Monday to be honored as the 2024 World Series champions.
“You did a big number. Really amazing how it all came out, and how it all ended,” President Trump said, pointing out that the Dodgers had beaten two “home teams” along the way – a reference from the New York native to the Dodgers’ victories over the Mets (in the NL Championship Series) and Yankees (in the World Series).
Trump singled out several players for their contributions to the championship including Shohei Ohtani for his historic 50-50 season, shaking hands with each player as he mentioned their achievements (but mispronouncing reliever Blake Treinen’s name).
Freddie Freeman was not part of the visit. He went on the Injured List with a sprained ankle last weekend and is not traveling with the team on its current road trip.
“He looks like a movie star. He’s got a good future, I’m telling you,” Trump said of Ohtani. “He shattered all of those records last year. … He became the first ever member of the 50-50 club. He had 54 home runs and 59 steals, an accomplishment unparalleled in 149 years of Major League Baseball. Think of that. That’s just incredible.”
The president also had high praise for Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, calling him “one of the greatest managers, really, ever to wear the Dodger blue.”
“I think he would have lasted even with George Steinbrenner, right?” Trump said, referring to the notoriously quick-triggered Yankees owner. “He was very quick. You lose two games and you were fired. Great job, Dave.”
Trump introduced a number of California representatives in attendance Monday but took a swipe at the state’s two Democratic senators (Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff), saying he wouldn’t introduce them because “I don’t particularly like them.”
Neither senator was in attendance for the event in the East Room. Some Dodgers are scheduled to visit the Capitol on Tuesday.
Though many championship teams skipped the White House visit during Trump’s first term, the Dodgers are the second team to visit already during Trump’s second term, joining the NHL’s Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. Dodgers team owner Mark Walter spoke briefly at Monday’s event, saying the Dodgers were “very pleased to participate in the tradition of bringing champions to the White House.”
As he had in 2021 when President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris hosted the 2020 championship team, Clayton Kershaw stepped forward and read a statement on behalf of the team.
“This is an incredible honor for me to stand here today representing the Los Angeles Dodgers and this group of staff and players standing behind me today,” Kershaw said this time. “The 2024 Los Angeles Dodgers season is one that will go down in the history books, always holding a special place in my heart and those with me as well as the millions of Dodger fans around the world.
“This organization exemplifies what it means to come together as one for a greater purpose and represent something so much bigger than themselves. The selflessness and humility that each one of these players and staff have shown over the last year is truly an inspiration. They have constantly played hurt, switched positions and taken the ball to put the team first.”
Referring to his limited role due to injury during the Dodgers’ postseason run, Kershaw called himself “a spectator for our championship run last year” but said he was “in awe of this group.”
“Their unwavering confidence coupled with the selfless pursuit for team excellence was an inspiration,” Kershaw said. “That is why I am so grateful to get to speak today on their behalf as I know none of them would say this about themselves. Moving forward, I hope the 2024 Dodgers can serve as an inspiration to many like they were to me –not just in sports but in life, remembering to put others before ourselves. It moves a team and a society forward.”
Kershaw and Mookie Betts presented Trump with a personalized Dodgers jersey with his name and the number 47 on the back.
After the event in the East Room, Trump invited the team to visit “the fabled Oval Office” where they had opportunities to take more photos.
Originally Published:
