WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump feted Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers at the White House on Thursday, calling the crew “one of the great brands anywhere in the world” throughout a Rose Garden occasion celebrating its second title in as a few years.
Trump mentioned the Dodgers edging the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7 final fall capped “a hell of a series.” He indicated that he was shocked to study that the Dodgers had by no means earlier than gained consecutive titles but additionally mused a few third in a row.
“I’m thrilled to say welcome back to the White House,” he mentioned. “And maybe I’ll see you again next year.”
The president saluted the crew in the East Room in April 2025 to mark its 2024 World Series championship over the New York Yankees. He mentioned earlier than the newest occasion that he was most enthusiastic about assembly Ohtani, whom he in contrast at size to the legendary Babe Ruth — even saying the Dodgers’ star was arguably the greatest hitter and pitcher in baseball.
“It’s truly a great — when you talk about a brand — it’s one of the great brands anywhere in the world,” Trump mentioned of the Dodgers. He spoke in entrance of a desk with two World Series trophies and a Trump 47 jersey, which the crew introduced to him.
The Dodgers additionally gave Trump what appeared to be a duplicate of a World Series ring. That prompted Trump to exclaim: “Wow. Do I have to report this? I don’t want to report this” earlier than slipping the ring into the inside pocket of his swimsuit jacket.
Those in the crowd wore blue Dodgers caps to protect towards vibrant overhead solar, and the band performed a jazzy instrumental model of Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.” earlier than Trump took the stage.
Trump described final yr’s World Series’ epic Game 3, throughout which the Dodgers gained 6-5 in 18 innings. Trump mentioned he stayed up till round 3 a.m. to observe, noting that “it was a long one, but it was amazing.”
“I thought it was a game that you were going to lose about four or five times, and you ended up winning,” he mentioned, including, “Luck is OK, too, right?” Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts agreed: “Luck is OK.”
“But with talent, you get a lot of luck,” Trump continued.
The president mentioned he spoke briefly with Roberts earlier than the occasion and realized that his crew has the greatest document in baseball, noting, “I’ve been a little busy with Iran and some other things.”
That was Trump’s solely reference throughout the occasion to preventing in the Middle East, which has escalated on each side in latest days.
Roberts additionally spoke briefly, saying: “We’re going for a three-peat.”
Championship baseball groups have been coming to the White House since 1869, when President Ulysses S. Grant hosted the Cincinnati Red Stockings. They had been the first absolutely skilled crew to go to the White House and went undefeated that season, although the World Series wasn’t established in its trendy kind till 1903.
Sports groups’ visits to the Trump White House have typically been a supply of controversy. In 2018, the president rescinded an invite to the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles after many gamers prompt they may skip such a visit.
Dodgers star proper fielder Mookie Betts wasn’t at Thursday’s Rose Garden occasion, although he made the 2025 go to. He mentioned he prefers to spend the crew’s scheduled days off together with his household.
The Dodgers initially thought-about coming to the White House this previous April throughout a sequence with the Washington Nationals, however a crowded early-season schedule did not allow that. Instead, they’re in the nation’s capital throughout the off-day between a just-completed sequence towards the Philadelphia Phillies and Friday’s opener towards the New York Mets in Queens.
Over the previous yr, Trump has revamped the Rose Garden and added a patio space reminiscent of his Mar-a-Lago membership in Florida. At Thursday’s occasion for the Dodgers, he referenced the “Walk of Fame” put in on the colonnade, which options plaques of previous presidents together with partisan insults towards Joe Biden and different Democrats.
“I could put some of the great Dodgers on the wall,” Trump joked, “but I figured maybe it’s more appropriate that we put the presidents.”
Trump, a baseball fan and New York native, for years has been carefully related to the Yankees, whose late, longtime proprietor George Steinbrenner was a detailed pal. Trump referenced Steinbrenner on Thursday, saying: “He would do anything to win” earlier than telling the Dodgers’ crew homeowners, “but you’re doing the same thing.”
The president is not all the time so complimentary of groups, although. During a rally in Georgia on Wednesday, he praised the possession of the native Atlanta Braves and slammed the Mets for his or her sky-high payroll and shedding document.
Trump was joined on stage throughout that occasion by former Braves supervisor Brian Snitker, and Mike Plant, president and CEO of the Braves Development Co.
“You know, the Mets have the highest salary in baseball, and they lose all the time,” Trump mentioned. “And I’m like, maybe we can steal this guy.”
“There are teams like that, where they never go down,” Trump mentioned. “Then, you have other teams — ‘We’re rebuilding.’ They’ve been rebuilding for years. I don’t want to mention teams ’cause I know all the owners. They’re all friends of mine.”
