Dodgers' trip to the White House continues the championship tradition

Dodgers to Visit White House to Celebrate World Series Win

Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts humorously mentioned he has a sort of “social etiquette” during visits to the White House.

“I hope to get this invitation every year,” he said on Friday. “The goal is to win a championship and then get invited to the White House.”

This year, it took some time, but plans were finally set for the Dodgers to visit the White House. According to the California Post, the team will meet with President Trump on July 23 to celebrate their victory in the 2025 World Series. They’ll head to Washington, D.C. during a break in their road trip after the All-Star break.

This visit is a bit later than last year, when they celebrated their 2024 championship in April.

Conflicts in scheduling had previously prevented the Dodgers from visiting during early-season games against the Nationals, making July 23 one of the few remaining options.

“I think there were a lot of unknowns,” Roberts remarked. “Then I got word yesterday or maybe two days ago that it was official. So, it was kind of a thing, figuring out how to solve this logically. There were a lot of internal phone calls, text messages, and communication.”

For Roberts, the complications ultimately felt worth it, marking the team’s third trip to the White House in six years, following their 2020 title and visit with President Biden in 2021.

“I’m not a politician,” Roberts stated, addressing the mixed feelings among Dodgers fans about the news. “I’m doing what teams have been doing for decades. That’s just my position. I’m a baseball coach. That’s my job.”

The organization emphasized tradition, noting in a statement, “As was the case last year, the Dodgers’ upcoming visits to the White House and Capitol follow a long-standing tradition of honoring World Series champions. We appreciate this tribute in recognition of back-to-back championships.”

Last year, every current player attended the ceremony.

Former pitcher Clayton Kershaw expressed previously, “It’s an incredible honor to go to the White House, regardless of who is in office.” He acknowledged the discussions surrounding the trip but emphasized the significance of the experience.

While Kershaw is no longer on the team, Roberts mentioned, “I believe a lot of our players are part of this team. I’m going to participate and be there.”

“This is a personal choice,” he noted. “But I expect a lot of players to show up.”

One player, Quique Hernandez, confirmed he would not attend, as he will be on a minor league rehab assignment on the same day. No other absences have been announced, though veteran Miguel Rojas affirmed, “I’m going to represent the team.”