Mookie Betts, the shortstop for the Dodgers, mentioned he’s probably not going to take part in any more team visits to the White House. He emphasized that his choice isn’t tied to politics.
In a chat with the California Post, Betts shared that his third child arrived earlier this year, and he’ll be spending July 23, his day off during a Dodgers road trip to New York and Philadelphia, with his family.
“We’re not making a big deal out of this,” Betts explained. “We just had a baby and our time off is limited. The baby’s coming. I really just want to spend time with my family. But, you know, people will spin it into something else.”
As a four-time World Series champion, Betts’ decisions on White House visits tend to attract attention. Back in 2019, he was among several Boston Red Sox players who opted out of a celebration during Trump’s first term but later expressed regret, recognizing it as a distraction for the team.
While with the Dodgers, Betts attended the recent White House visits with both President Biden in 2021 and Trump last April. Although he hesitated last year, he ultimately participated alongside his teammates.
“It’s not about me or politics,” Betts stated during that visit. “It’s about the Dodgers. My loyalty lies with these guys, this clubhouse.”
This year, Betts’ focus on family is shaping his decisions. In April, he and his wife welcomed their second daughter, Carly, bringing their family to five. He reflected on the pressure surrounding his choices: “If I go, people will hate me. If I don’t, people will hate me. So I’m just going to prioritize my family,” he noted.
He reiterated that his stance isn’t politically charged but acknowledged that some will try to pull him into that realm simply because of who he is. “That’s just the way it is,” he concluded.
