LA Times Writers Suggest Dodgers Skip White House Visit: 'Thanks, But No'

The Los Angeles Dodgers, crowned as the reigning World Series champions, traditionally have the chance to visit the White House. However, the Los Angeles Times suggests the team might just say, "Thanks, but no."

The paper highlights past instances, such as Dodgers star Mookie Betts skipping the White House visit in 2019 when he played for the Boston Red Sox. Betts has been vocal on social justice matters, and other Dodgers figures, like co-owners Magic Johnson and Billie Jean King, have openly criticized former President Donald Trump. The Dodgers may not be keen to pose for smiles and handshakes with a leader they've notably clashed with on various fronts.

Los Angeles is scheduled to play a three-game series in Washington, D.C., from April 7 to 9, a potential window for a White House visit. But the Times firmly states that "it's hard to imagine" the team making the trip. The reasoning? "Los Angeles is not just Dodger blue, but Democrat blue," the article noted, pointing out that Trump lost L.A. County by a significant margin of 33 percentage points. The Times further criticized Trump for his past feuds with California Governor Gavin Newsom and threats to withhold disaster relief funds.

The Times editorial didn’t mince words: "The World Champion Dodgers should stand up to, not next to, the president. If an overture from the White House comes, they can send a friendly note: Thanks, but no."

For context, the Dodgers did visit President Joe Biden in 2021 to celebrate their 2020 World Series win. Meanwhile, other sports teams have handled White House visits differently. The Philadelphia Eagles plan to visit Biden this April following their Super Bowl win, and the Florida Panthers recently celebrated their Stanley Cup victory at the White House. However, the Denver Nuggets skipped their visit last year, citing their focus on securing the No. 1 seed in the NBA playoffs.

White House visits have always been a mix of tradition and politics. From Sean Doolittle of the 2019 Washington Nationals openly criticizing Trump to the University of Georgia football team skipping their invitation last year, it's clear that championship celebrations can sometimes turn into political statements.