The Los Angeles Dodgers are riding high after their 2024 World Series win, and now they’re gearing up for a special pit stop- a White House visit on April 7. Manager Dave Roberts, once hesitant about such a trip, has confirmed he’s all in, marking a shift that’s got fans and pundits buzzing. With the team set to celebrate their title against the New York Yankees, here’s why Roberts is ready to step into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue alongside his squad.
Back in 2019, Roberts wasn’t so keen on a White House visit under then-President Donald Trump. “We have to win it first,” he told the Los Angeles Times, adding, “But one trip to D.C., playing the Nationals, is plenty for me.” Fast forward to 2025, and the Dodgers have that championship hardware-beating the Yankees 7-6 in a nail-biting Game 5 on October 30, 2024.
Trump, now in his second term, extended the invite, and Roberts’ tune has changed. “It’s certainly a huge honor to get the invitation,” he said before an exhibition game against the Angels on March 25, per ESPN. “I respect the position. It’s the highest office in our country, certainly in the world, so I’m looking forward to it.”
From No to Yes: Roberts’ White House U-Turn explained
So, what flipped the script? For one, tradition. “To my understanding, every World Series champion gets that honor,” Roberts noted, nodding to baseball’s long-standing custom of White House visits-think Reagan-era vibes when champs started rolling in. The Dodgers last visited in 2021 under Joe Biden after their 2020 title, so this isn’t new turf. Roberts, a history buff who’s spoken on Jackie Robinson’s legacy, seems to see it as more than politics-it’s a nod to the game’s roots.
The timing’s juicy too. The Dodgers hit D.C. to face the Nationals right after, making April 7 a seamless fit. No formal team debate needed- “It wasn’t a formal conversation we had as a ballclub,” Roberts said, keeping it casual. X posts are split-some fans cheer the celebration, others dig into his 2019 stance, but the vibe’s mostly hype. “Dave respecting the office over past beef? Growth,” one user quipped.
Roberts’ past clash with Trump-think 2018 World Series tweets calling out his Game 4 moves-adds spice, but he’s brushing it off. The team’s stoked, with Magic Johnson and Mark Walter on board despite their own Trump critiques.
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