The Los Angeles Dodgers announced they will accept an invitation to visit the White House to celebrate the franchise’s World Series title.

“In keeping with long-standing baseball tradition, President Trump has invited the 2024 World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers to the White House when they play in Washington D.C. on April 7. The Dodgers look forward to visiting the White House and celebrating our title,” the Dodgers announced.

“In addition, members of the Dodgers will visit Capitol Hill on April 8,” it added.

Per Yahoo Sports:

The Dodgers set themselves up for a White House visit with their World Series run last year, capped off with a five-game win in the Fall Classic over the New York Yankees, Trump’s preferred MLB team. There had, however, been some question about whether the Dodgers would make the trip to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, especially given the timing.

Before Tuesday, there had been no indication of the team’s plans, despite April 7 being only two weeks away. By comparison, the Philadelphia Eagles, a team that did not visit Trump during his first presidency amid contentious circumstances, won their second Super Bowl on Feb. 9 and confirmed they were visiting the White House on March 11.

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In that time, Trump has feuded with local politicians and threatened to withhold federal aid for the wildfires that ravaged part of Los Angeles in January. His administration has also drawn heavy criticism over the deletion of an article about Jackie Robinson’s Army history, which was later restored, as part of its campaign against DEI policies.

From the Los Angeles Times:

The visit, scheduled for April 7, will mark the Dodgers’ second trip to the White House in the last five years. In 2021, the team’s 2020 World Series title was celebrated by President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

This time, the Dodgers will be welcomed by President Trump — which, given past comments some team members have made, raised questions in the wake of Tuesday’s announcement about whether anyone might decline to take part in the event.

Roberts said he would participate, despite comments he made to The Times in 2019 indicating he might not go to the White House if Trump — who was notoriously critical of Roberts’ managing on Twitter during the 2018 World Series — was president.

“I respect the position,” Roberts said Tuesday, confirming his attendance for next month’s trip. “It’s the highest office in our country certainly, in the world. So I’m looking forward to it.”

 

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