President Trump invites Dodgers to White House, Dave Roberts accepts

ANAHEIM, Calif. – As spring training wraps up in 2025, the Los Angeles Dodgers are set to begin their quest for back-to-back championships. Before they do, they will have the chance to celebrate their 2024 World Series Championship at the White House under the Trump administration. 

President Donald J. Trump has invited the Dodgers to visit the White House when they travel to Washington D.C. on April 7. Dave Roberts announced on Tuesday that he will accept the invitation.

"It certainly is a huge honor to get the invitation to the White House," Roberts said. "It allows us to celebrate our 2024 championship. To my understanding, every World Series champion gets that honor."

Despite the controversy surrounding President Trump, the Dodgers are continuing their tradition as defending champions by visiting the White House, with a stop at Capitol Hill on April 8. 

"I'm going," Roberts said. "I respect the position. It's the highest office in our country, certainly in the world, so I'm looking forward to it."

In the past, several teams chose not to attend the White House during President Trump's first term in 2017. The Golden State Warriors, coming off their NBA Championship win, which was their first with Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry, were invited to the White House. However, President Trump withdrew his invitation to Curry after Curry hesitated to accept it.

The North Carolina Tar Heels declined their invitation to visit the White House after winning the National Championship against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in 2017. During President Trump’s first term, there was significant backlash regarding his decision-making and leadership style, which created a climate of controversy.

While some may argue that President Trump’s second term is entirely different from his first, certain teams may choose to decline traditional invitations. However, the Dodgers made the right decision by honoring this tradition. It has been reported that the Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, are considering skipping their invitation to the White House for the second time, having previously declined it in 2017.

Roberts has confirmed his attendance, but this does not guarantee that all players will be present. For instance, Mookie Betts declined his invitation in 2018 when he won with the Boston Red Sox.

During the 2018 World Series between the Dodgers and the Red Sox, a tense moment occurred in Game 4 when Rich Hill, the Dodgers' starting pitcher, was dominating the game. The Dodgers were ahead 4-0 when manager Dave Roberts made the decision to remove Hill from the mound in the seventh inning. Unfortunately, the relievers struggled, allowing eight runs in the final innings of the game. As a result, the Dodgers fell behind in the series, trailing 3-1, and ultimately lost the next game, with the Red Sox winning the World Series in five games.  

During the Game Four of the 2018 World Series, President Trump tweeted his criticism of Roberts' decision-making.

“Watching the Dodgers/Red Sox final innings,” President Trump tweeted. “It is amazing how a manager takes out a pitcher who is loose & dominating through almost 7 innings, Rich Hill of Dodgers, and brings in nervous reliever(s) who get shellacked. 4 run lead gone. Managers do it all the time, big mistake!”

After the loss in Game Four of the 2018 World Series, Roberts was asked about President Trump’s comments and responded.

“I don’t know how many Dodger games he’s watched,” Roberts said. “I don’t think he’s privy to the conversation. That’s one man’s opinion.”

There is a history between President Trump and Roberts, and they will meet for the first time in two weeks.