Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
The Los Angeles Dodgers are scheduled to visit the White House on July 23, months after accepting an invitation from President Donald Trump.
It’s a second consecutive year the Dodgers are making their way to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue as the defending World Series champion, and they continue to maintain that stems from following a long-held tradition rather than making a political statement.
“Honestly, like I’ve always said, my company line, my personal line is: I hope that we get this invitation every year, “because that’s the goal – to win a championship, to get this invitation to the White House,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
“I’m not a politician, and I’m doing something that teams have done for decades. So that’s where I stand, really. I’m a baseball coach. That’s what I do.”
Kiké, Mookie skipping White House visit
Despite Roberts also expressing a belief that the Dodgers would have full participation from their roster, some players already have revealed they will not be with the team.
According to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group, Kiké Hernández intends to remain on his rehab assignment rather than accompany the Dodgers.
“I probably wouldn’t have gone,” said Hernandez, a native of Puerto Rico. “But being on a rehab assignment, taking at-bats is more important.”
Mookie Betts also isn’t going to be with his teammates due to prioritizing spending time with his family and not because of any sort of political statement, per Jack Harris of the California Post.
“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.”
Hernández is looking to return from a left oblique strain and has targeted the Dodgers’ first homestand after the All-Star break to come off the injured list. That begins July 28, or five days after the team will meet with President Trump and more politicians to celebrate their 2025 World Series title.
Hernández was with the Dodgers for their trip to the White House in 2024, but previously has been outspoken against President Trump.
Betts initially was reluctant to commit to visiting the White House last year and spoke with his family before ultimately deciding to attend in order to avoid becoming a distraction. That was different from when Betts declined to go with the Boston Red Sox for their White House visit in 2019 during President Trump’s first term.
In this instance, Betts’ wife and children are going to be on the Dodgers’ nine-game road trip coming out of the All-Star break. Brianna gave birth to the couple’s third child in Spring Training, and that prompted Betts to not participate in the World Baseball Classic.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!