When the Los Angeles Dodgers announced they had accept an invitation from President Trump to celebrate their 2024 World Series title, manager Dave Roberts immediately declared he would attend, but Mookie Betts said he needed to discuss the matter with family.
During President Trump’s first term, Roberts suggested he would not go to the White House if the Dodgers were in position to do so as MLB’s champion. Roberts famously was criticized by the commander in chief during the 2018 World Series.
Betts skipped out on joining the Boston Red Sox at the White House when they accepted an invite from President Trump in 2019. That team, ironically, was being celebrated for their World Series win against Roberts and the Dodgers.
Now with the Dodgers due to visit the White House on Monday, Betts said he is planning to go with his teammates to avoid taking the spotlight away, per Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
Mookie Betts said he will be going to the White House with the Dodgers on Monday
He said he wanted to be there with the rest of the team after how they supported him last year; and felt like when he didn’t go with the Red Sox in 2019, it made the story about him
— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) April 4, 2025
The Dodgers have faced criticism over their decision, which president and CEO Stan Kasten has said was not based on politics. Kasten believes whether the Dodgers accepted or declined to attend the White House, it would’ve angered fans regardless.
Kasten also suggested the entire Dodgers clubhouse reached a unanimous decision on visiting the White House to be celebrated as reigning World Series champions.
Mookie Betts’ history with White House visits
Betts did not join his Red Sox teammates for their trip to the White House in 2019, which came during President Trump’s first term. Red Sox manager Alex Cora and David Price also did not attend.
Betts was on hand for the Dodgers’ White House visit with President Biden in 2021.
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