Trump honors Dodgers for ‘truly a great World Series’ at White House ceremony

WASHINGTON — At a ceremony growing familiar to them, the Los Angeles Dodgers walked past the Presidential Walk of Fame and lined up on a small set of risers. A jazzy version of “I Love L.A.” blared on speakers. A crowd full of staffers, politicians and other well-wishers wore Dodger blue caps. Two World Series trophies rested on a table, sandwiching a “Trump 47” Dodgers jersey.

The Dodgers visited the White House for the second consecutive year on Thursday afternoon, standing behind President Donald Trump during the traditional trip for World Series champions. Owner Mark Walter and Manager Dave Roberts walked with Trump from the Oval Office as “Hail to the Chief” played over the loudspeakers. Both thanked Trump, offering their gratitude for his hosting them. At the end of the ceremony, Walter presented Trump with a World Series ring engraved with the president’s name.

“Do I have to report this?” Trump asked, laughing. “I don’t want to report this.”

The Dodgers made their third White House trip since 2021, when they became the first team to visit under President Joe Biden’s administration. The ceremony had originally been planned for April, during the Dodgers’ series against the Washington Nationals, but was postponed owing to scheduling conflicts. The Dodgers instead traveled to Washington on an off day between a series in Philadelphia, where they took two of three from the Phillies, and a weekend series in New York against the Mets.

Dodgers star shortstop Mookie Betts skipped the event as he’d planned, having told the California Post earlier this month he would spend the off day with family after the recent birth of his third child. Betts attended with the Dodgers last year after bypassing a 2018 White House trip with the Boston Red Sox, which he later said he regretted because he “made it about me.”

Veteran utility player Kiké Hernández also missed the event while rehabbing an injury, though he said earlier this month he would “probably not” go even if healthy.

Reliever Edgardo Henriquez was the lone active Dodger who did not appear without prior notice. A Dodgers spokesman declined comment when asked for an explanation.

Before Trump read from a script, with the Dodgers standing behind him, he boasted about the changes he’d made to the Rose Garden. They included white stone in place of grass, which “was always wet,” Trump said. “You know, the White House is built on a wetland, and when you build on a wetland, the grass is always wet.” He pointed out newly installed gold letters spelling out “The Rose Garden” on an awning.

“You think Biden would do that?” Trump asked. “I don’t think so.”

During his roughly 20-minute speech, Trump outlined the Dodgers’ 2025 season and singled out significant contributors. He started with Shohei Ohtani, whom he credited with the greatest game ever played for his six shutout innings and three homers in the National League Championship Series clincher.

“If you would have told me you could be the best pitcher and the best hitter at the same time — you know, Babe Ruth was pretty close to that,” Trump said. “They drafted Babe Ruth. He was 19 years old. I know something about baseball. They consider it the worst trade in the history of sports. He was 19, and they got a 36-year-old third baseman and $100,000.”

(Ruth was 24 when the Boston Red Sox traded him. Major League Baseball implemented a draft in 1965, after Ruth’s death in 1948.)

Trump shook Max Muncy’s hand and noted he’d broken the Dodgers’ franchise record for postseason home runs. He paused to recognize the “legend” Clayton Kershaw, whose presence in the season after his retirement led to confusion.

“You talk about a winner, look at that guy,” Trump said before turning to Roberts. “And he’s still pitching well, I’ll bet, right?”

“Well, he’s spending time with family now, sir,” Roberts said.

“Yeah, but it is called ultimately talent, right? Wouldn’t you say?” Trump replied. “Talent is the whole ballgame. You could pitch right now? If they needed you, you’d be out there, right?”

“No, sir,” Kershaw said, laughing along with the crowd.

“And he’s smart!” Trump said.

Trump shook reliever Will Klein’s hand and saluted his role in the Dodgers’ 18-inning Game 3 marathon victory. He teased the Atlanta Braves for letting Freddie Freeman leave in free agency.

“Shohei, is he doing a good job?” Trump said, turning around. Ohtani smiled and nodded.

Trump applauded Miguel Rojas and Andy Pages for their heroics in Game 7.

“This was truly a great World Series, right?” Trump said, again turning to Roberts.

“Maybe the best in history,” Roberts said.

Trump hailed the Dodgers while carrying a fraught recent history with their home city. Last year, Trump deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles after protests over ICE raids spread across the city, which Trump described as a “trash heap.” A federal court ruled the use of troops illegal after state authorities sued, and Trump withdrew the Guard in December.

Thursday’s ceremony betrayed no tension. Roberts and Walter both gave brief remarks before giving Trump his jersey and his ring.

Trump returned to the podium and told the crowd he hoped they liked the cushions they were sitting on, “because they are 4 inches as opposed to 1, like a little pad.”

“I just want to say we’re steps away from the most powerful office in the world, the Oval Office, where everything begins and ends and begins,” Trump said. “There’s nothing like it. The most important people in the world go in there. … People walk into the Oval Office, and no matter who they are, they just sort of feel sort of different.”

Trump pointed out the helipad and ballroom that are under construction on the White House grounds. He then invited “this unbelievable team” to join him. A jazzy version of “We Are The Champions” played, and the Dodgers followed the president into the Oval Office.