President Donald Trump demonstrated his love for America’s favorite pastime on Monday when he welcomed the 2024 World Series champions to the White House for a special visit and short ceremony commemorating their big win.
“This is a very good-looking group of people,” the president quipped when he stepped onstage.
The president, who is known be a longtime sports fan, welcomed the Dodgers to the People’s House and remarked, “I want to congratulate you on a legendary season – and I watched it very closely, some of those teams were home teams.”
He elevated the incredible players on the Dodgers team this year – men like outfielder Mookie Betts and hitter and pitcher Shohei Ohtani. Trump said the team “gave us some of the most incredible performances ever seen on the baseball diamond.”
The president praised the Dodgers for overcoming “adversity” when a large number of team talent was down last season, prompting them to soldier on anyway. “I love baseball,” Trump said. “…You see a spirit in the Dodgers that you don’t see with a lot of teams.”
He said he hoped the Dodgers would return to the White House next year, as well.
“When I turn on the Dodgers, I like to watch the team,” he said. “And now that I’ve gotten to meet these guys personally, I like it even more.”
Trump also revealed that he would be inviting the Dodgers to come into the Oval Office for a quick visit before they left on Monday. “We’re going to run them down to the Oval Office,” he said.
Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw also gave quick remarks, noting, ““Moving forward, I hope the 2024 Dodgers can serve as an inspiration to many like they were to me, not just in sports but in life, remembering to put others before ourselves; it moves the team and it moves society forward.”
Before the conclusion of the quick ceremony, Dodgers Chairman Mark Walter joined Kershaw to present President Trump with a personalized “TRUMP” Dodgers jersey with the number 47 emblazoned on the back.