Mookie Betts becomes latest Dodgers player to skip White House visit, insists it's 'not political'

Los Angeles Dodgers Prepare for Traditional White House Celebration After 2025 World Series Title

The Los Angeles Dodgers, fresh off their second consecutive World Series championship, are gearing up for the customary White House visit to honor their 2025 title. The ceremony is scheduled for July 23, when the team will travel to Washington, D.C., to meet President Donald Trump and commemorate the franchise’s latest championship triumph.

The White House visit is a long‑standing tradition for Major League Baseball champions, offering players a chance to mark their achievement in a non‑partisan setting. The Dodgers captured the 2025 title in early October, defeating the New York Yankees in a decisive Game 7. After the win, the organization received an invitation from the President, which the club accepted, aligning with the practice followed by championship teams across professional sports.

Manager Dave Roberts underscored the significance of the invitation, noting that the opportunity to celebrate at the White House is a testament to the team’s success. “You hope you get this invitation every season, because it means your team has won a championship,” Roberts said. “It’s an honor to represent the Dodgers and our fans at such a prestigious event.”

While the majority of the roster is expected to make the trip, shortstop Mookie Betts will not be among them. Betts, 33, explained that his decision stems from family matters rather than any political stance. “We just had a baby,” he told reporters. “You don’t get many days off. They’re coming on the road trip, and I just want to hang out with the fam. That’s really kind of it.” He added that the timing of the All‑Star break—starting Monday with three days off before a travel day to New York—made the White House event difficult to fit into his personal schedule.

Betts also addressed the inevitable scrutiny his choice would attract. “If I do [go], people are gonna hate me. If I don’t, people are gonna hate me,” he said. “So instead of trying to make everyone else happy, I’m gonna think about myself and my family.” He emphasized that his absence was not a commentary on the administration. “People are gonna try to drag me into politics, just because I am who I am. That’s just the cards I’m dealt,” Betts noted. He pointed out that he visited the White House after the team’s 2024 championship, underscoring that his previous participation was not tied to partisan politics.

In addition to Betts, utility player Kike Hernández will miss the ceremony. Hernández is currently on a rehab assignment with the team’s minor‑league affiliate and is scheduled to be on the East Coast when the major league club travels to Washington. While some speculation arose that his absence might reflect a protest against the Trump administration’s immigration policies, Hernández clarified that the primary reason was the logistics of his rehab schedule.

The Dodgers’ decision to accept the White House invitation has drawn a mix of reactions from fans and media. Some critics, including certain sports columnists and advocacy groups, have voiced concern over the team’s engagement with the current administration, arguing that such events could be interpreted as endorsement of policy positions. Conversely, many supporters have praised the club for upholding the tradition of honoring champions regardless of the political environment.

The Dodgers’ fan base is geographically diverse, spanning California, Arizona, Georgia, Texas, and beyond. Team officials have stressed that the White House visit is a ceremonial occasion, not a political statement, and that the organization seeks to represent all its supporters.

The team is set to depart Los Angeles on the morning of July 23, with the ceremony expected to take place later that day. Following the Washington visit, the Dodgers will return to New York for a weekend series against the Yankees, resuming a grueling MLB schedule that includes the All‑Star break beginning Monday.

Betts’ absence highlights the balance many athletes face between personal responsibilities and public expectations. While the White House visit remains a prestigious highlight for championship squads, the decision to attend is ultimately left to individual players, reflecting both personal circumstances and the multifaceted lives of professional athletes.