A Day of Recognition for the Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers had a special day in April 2025. They visited the White House to celebrate their 2024 World Series victory. This trip was a big deal. It's a long-standing tradition for sports champions to meet the US president. The team had a chance to chat with Donald Trump. He praised their manager, Dave Roberts, calling him one of the best to ever lead the Dodgers. Trump also shook hands with Mookie Betts. This was notable because Betts had skipped the White House visit back in 2019. He was part of the Boston Red Sox then, who had won the World Series in 2018. Trump was impressed with Betts' skills. He commented, "That guy can play, can't he? Unbelievable. " During the visit, Clayton Kershaw gave Trump a custom Dodgers jersey with the number 47 on it. Shohei Ohtani also got to spend time with Trump in the Oval Office. The president called Ohtani an amazing athlete and person. This visit was a big change for some team members.In 2019, Roberts had said he would decline an invite to the White House. But last month, he changed his mind, saying it was an honor to visit. Betts also had a change of heart. He regretted not visiting in 2019. He felt his absence made the news more about him than the team. He said, "This is not about me. I don't want anything to be about me. This is about the Dodgers. " He acknowledged that his teammates had been there for him. The visit was a mix of sports and politics. It showed how sports teams can bring people together, even if they have different views. The Dodgers' visit was a moment of unity and celebration. It was a day to honor their hard work and achievements. It was also a chance for the team to reflect on their journey and the support they received. The visit highlighted the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship. It was a reminder that sports can bring people together, regardless of their backgrounds or beliefs.