Dodgers Kick Off String of Title Celebrations with Trump at White House

The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to celebrate their 2024 World Series championship at the White House with President Donald Trump on Monday, marking the beginning of a series of sports teams visiting Washington this month. Following the Dodgers, the Ohio State Buckeyes football team will visit on April 14 after their national championship win against Notre Dame, with the Philadelphia Eagles scheduled to stop by on April 28.

This lineup of visits hints at a thawing of tensions between athletes and the president, who has had a famously rocky relationship with some players in the past. Notably, Trump rescinded the Eagles’ White House invitation in 2018 amid a heated debate over NFL players kneeling during the national anthem as a protest against racial injustice. While rumors swirled about whether the Eagles would accept an invitation this year, they confirmed in February they would attend.

The president’s relationship with athletes has evolved, with players across sports showing camaraderie during his reelection campaign last year. MLB, NFL, and UFC athletes mimicked Trump’s dance moves, and 49ers star Nick Bosa even sported a "Make America Great Again" hat after a game. Trump’s presence at college football games, his rounds of golf with NFL players, and hosting athletes at the White House have all contributed to this warming dynamic.

Dodgers star Mookie Betts, who boycotted the White House visit as part of the Boston Red Sox’s 2018 World Series championship team, expressed regret about his earlier decision. "This is not about me," Betts said, emphasizing that the visit is a celebration of the Dodgers’ accomplishments. Similarly, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who had previously suggested skipping a White House visit, now sees it as a "great honor."

The Eagles’ owner Jeffrey Lurie echoed this sentiment, calling the White House visit a "time-honored tradition" and emphasizing the team's excitement to participate. "When you grow up hearing about championship teams visiting the White House, this is what it’s all about," Lurie said.

The Florida Panthers, celebrating their Stanley Cup victory, were the first team to visit Trump this month. Star player Matthew Tkachuk expressed gratitude, stating, "Being one of the few Americans who loves this country so much, it’s an incredible day for myself." He praised his teammates, calling them "forever champs" after the franchise’s first-ever Stanley Cup win.

As sports teams return to the White House, the tradition reflects both the joy of victory and the evolving dynamics between athletes and political leadership. Whether it’s dodging a pitch or a politically loaded question, the spotlight remains firmly on the champions.