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WASHINGTON –– Nine months removed from their epic Game 7 triumph in last year’s World Series, the Dodgers were recognized one final time on Thursday for their 2025 championship.
After drama surrounded the organization and White House about whether or not this visit would happen due to multiple scheduling conflicts, the California Post first reported that President Trump would honor the back-to-back champions.
For the second year in a row, the two-time defending champions were welcomed to the White House for a ceremony with Trump, making a one-day trek down to the nation’s capital during an off-day on their current East Coast road trip.
This time, the ceremony was held in the Rose Garden, where members of the team gathered with Trump on a stage alongside both of their recent Commissioner’s Trophies and a white No. 47 Dodgers jersey with Trump’s name on the back.
“I’m thrilled to say welcome back to the White House,” Trump said. “And maybe we’ll see you again next year, I hope.”
White House trips have become a common occurrence in recent years for the Dodgers, who visited with President Biden in 2021 following their 2020 World Series crown before returning last April after their 2024 title. Both of those ceremonies were held in the East Room.
This year’s trip came later in the season than initially expected, after scheduling conflicts prevented the team from making the visit during their series against the Nationals in April.
Most remaining players from last year’s roster were in attendance, with the exception of Mookie Betts (who decided to skip the event to spend time with his family) and those currently on the injured list who were already not on this road trip (such as Kiké Hernández). Now-retired pitcher Clayton Kershaw also flew in to join his old teammates.
Owner Mark Walter, team president Stan Kasten and executive vice president (as well as new Lakers president) Lon Rosen were present, as well. President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and general manager Brandon Gomes were not, having stayed back from the team’s road trip this week ahead of MLB’s upcoming trade deadline.
Earlier on Thursday afternoon, Roberts, infielder Miguel Rojas and reliever Will Klein also visited the Capitol.
The team arrived in Washington on Wednesday night, flying down from Philadelphia after concluding a series against the Phillies. They were scheduled to fly up to New York immediately after the White House ceremony, with one last series remaining against the Mets on this nine-game, post-All-Star-break swing.
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