President Trump welcomes Dodgers and star Shohei Ohtani to White House

President Donald Trump held a Rose Garden ceremony on Thursday to honor the Los Angeles Dodgers, who secured back-to-back World Series titles. The team, which defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in a Game 7 victory last October, was invited to the White House East Room following their 2024 championship.

Trump highlighted the presence of Shohei Ohtani, noting his dual role as a pitcher and hitter. > "I’ll meet a man who’s just about the best pitcher in baseball and just about the best hitter in baseball," he said at a recent event.

Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts did not attend, citing a scheduled day off with his family, though he had participated in the previous year’s visit. Manager Dave Roberts said the invitation reflects the team’s success rather than political considerations. > "My company line, my personal line, is, I hope that we get this invitation every year because that’s the goal, to win a championship, to get this invitation to the White House," Roberts said.

The visit comes amid a history of championship teams receiving White House invitations, a tradition dating back to 1869. Since the previous year's ceremony, Trump has renovated the Rose Garden, adding a patio reminiscent of his Mar-a-Lago property.

Earlier in the week, Trump praised the Atlanta Braves and criticized the New York Mets for their payroll and performance, comments delivered at a rally in Georgia.