Dodgers Set for White House Visit, Mookie Betts and Others to Skip Ceremony

The Los Angeles Dodgers are gearing up for a significant visit to the White House, where they will be honored for their remarkable achievement in winning the World Series in 2025. President Donald Trump is scheduled to greet the team on July 23, marking another celebratory moment for the franchise.

After an exhilarating Game 7 against the Toronto Blue Jays, the Dodgers secured back-to-back championships, having previously triumphed over the New York Yankees in the 2024 World Series. This recent victory adds to their impressive legacy, which includes their 2020 championship—their first since 1988.

Earlier this year, the Dodgers celebrated their 2024 title with a visit to the White House in April, where standout players like Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani, and Clayton Kershaw were in attendance. However, this time around, some key players are opting out of the festivities.

Mookie Betts revealed to the California Post on July 11 that he will not be attending the White House ceremony. He clarified that his decision is not politically motivated; rather, he wishes to spend the day with his family, especially his newborn daughter. Additionally, Kiké Hernández will also be absent as he is currently on a minor league rehab assignment.

The Dodgers will make this trip to Washington, D.C. on an off day during a grueling stretch of nine games in ten days, with series against the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets surrounding the visit.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.