The Los Angeles Dodgers paid a visit to the White House on April 7, 2025, to celebrate winning the 2024 World Series.

The East Room celebration, which was sponsored by President Donald Trump, honored the team’s accomplishments as well as each member’s exceptional performance.

Ceremony Highlights

During the event, President Trump praised the Dodgers for their “legendary season” and extended special recognition to several key players:

Shohei Ohtani: Ohtani’s historic achievement of being the first player to reach 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single MLB season was praised by Trump. He praised Ohtani’s enormous influence on the sport and made a lighthearted comment about his “movie star” appearance. 
Clayton Kershaw: Speaking on behalf of the team, Kershaw gave a speech and gave President Trump a Dodgers jersey with the number 47 on it.

Mookie Betts: Betts participated in this visit, highlighting the value of teamwork, despite his prior reluctance to attend White House functions.

Clayton Kershaw: Speaking on behalf of the team, Kershaw gave a speech and gave President Trump a Dodgers jersey with the number 47 on it. 

Dave Roberts was also praised by President Trump, who called him “one of the greatest managers ever to wear the Dodger blue.”

Political Undertones

The event was not without political nuances. President Trump declined to introduce California Democratic senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, stating, “I just don’t particularly like them.”  

Reflections on the Visit

The Dodgers’ visit to the White House was a continuation of the custom in which the president in office honors championship teams. Compared to prior years, when political disputes caused some teams to skip similar visits, this event represented a change.

The event emphasized the Dodgers’ outstanding season and the relationship between politics and sports in modern-day America.

For a visual recap of the event, you can watch the ceremony here: