The Los Angeles Dodgers visited the White House on Thursday to celebrate their 2025 World Series title, and President Donald Trump used the occasion to heap lavish praise on superstar Shohei Ohtani. It was the team’s second such visit in consecutive years, reflecting back-to-back championships. Both Dodgers ownership and management made clear they are gunning for a third straight title.
Dodgers owner Mark Walter presented Trump with a personalised World Series ring alongside the customary presidential jersey. Trump expressed both surprise and delight that the franchise had never previously repeated as champions, and said he hoped to welcome them back to Washington for a third time next year.
Trump Singles Out Ohtani for Special Recognition
The highlight of Trump’s remarks centred on Ohtani. The president noted that no player in history had earned more than one unanimous league MVP award before the Japanese star came along, and described what Ohtani achieved last season — a third consecutive unanimous MVP alongside a franchise-record 55 home runs — as previously unthinkable. Trump called him amazing and said everybody loves him.
Trump also referenced Ohtani’s extraordinary two-way ability, telling the crowd he had said to himself that it was the greatest game ever played by one person, given that Ohtani pitches and hits at an elite level simultaneously. He drew a comparison to a historical baseball anecdote involving the late Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, noting that someone once traded a 19-year-old prospect for a 36-year-old third baseman and a modest cash payment — and called it a pretty bad deal. He added that Ohtani was approaching some of the feats that legendary player had once accomplished.
A Ceremony Packed with Stars — and a Few Absences
Most of the Dodgers’ key players attended the Rose Garden ceremony, where the 2024 and 2025 World Series trophies were both on display. Among those present were Freddie Freeman, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Max Muncy, along with postseason contributors Will Klein and Miguel Rojas, both of whom received personal shoutouts from Trump. The players also toured the Oval Office and received commemorative Trump challenge coins.
Mookie Betts was the most prominent absentee. He declined to attend, citing a desire to spend time with his family rather than making any political statement. Several other players missed the event due to injury, including Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell, Will Smith, Kiké Hernández, and Blake Treinen. Hernández, when asked beforehand whether he would have attended if healthy, indicated he probably would not have.
White House attendees from the administration’s side included cabinet members Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Senator Markwayne Mullin.
Manager Dave Roberts Eyes Three-Peat
Manager Dave Roberts used his remarks to underline the scale of what the Dodgers have accomplished — going back-to-back for the first time in 25 years — while making their ambitions for 2026 plain. He told Trump he hoped the president could watch the team and feel proud of the way they go about their business.
Owner Mark Walter echoed that sentiment, saying the organisation is proud of what the 2025 squad achieved and hoping to return to the White House again next year.
Ohtani’s 2026 Season in Full Flight
On the field, Ohtani is making a compelling case for a fourth MVP award. Through 94 games this season he is batting .283 with 22 home runs and 60 RBI, posting a .917 OPS. On the mound, across 14 starts covering 85.2 innings, he carries an ERA of 1.79 and a WHIP of 0.95, with 95 strikeouts and an 8-2 record. MLB Network analysts have already floated the possibility of Ohtani claiming both the MVP and Cy Young awards this season.
The Dodgers as a team sit at 65-38, leading the NL West by 11 games ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks — well positioned for the three-peat run their manager publicly declared at the White House.
