The Dodgers are set to visit the White House after their 2024 World Series victory, continuing a long-standing tradition for championship teams. Manager Dave Roberts has confirmed the team’s acceptance of the invitation, making it clear that, for him, this visit is about celebrating an achievement, not politics.
For Roberts and the team, this visit is a recognition of their journey—one that ended in one of the most thrilling comebacks in World Series history. The Dodgers secured their second championship in four years by defeating the Yankees 7-6 in Game 5. Trailing 5-0, they capitalized on a disastrous fifth inning by New York to steal the title.
After securing their championship, the team received an invitation to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue from President Donald Trump. Amidst much fan furor, Roberts quickly addressed his stance. “It certainly is a huge honor to get the invitation to the White House. It allows us to celebrate our 2024 championship. To my understanding, every World Series champion gets that honor. I am going. I respect the position. It is the highest office in our country, certainly in the world, so I am looking forward to it“, he stated.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 08: Manager Dave Roberts #30 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on before a game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on June 08, 2024 in New York City. The Dodgers defeated the Yankees 11-3. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
The trip to the White House serves as a moment to highlight that resilience—their capability to perform under pressure and turn impossible situations into victories. While opinions on such visits vary, Dave Roberts’ words reinforce a singular aim—this is related to baseball, a championship, and honoring the achievement that brought them there.
History of teams declining white House invitation
While the Dodgers are attending, not every championship team in current years has accepted the invitation. In 2019, Red Sox manager Alex Cora, along with multiple stars chose not to attend the ceremony after their World Series win, citing personal reasons and political issues. In addition, the Philadelphia Eagles faced a canceled invitation in 2018 after reports surfaced that multiple stars planned to skip the visit because of disagreements with the administration’s policies.
In 2017 and 2018, the Golden State Warriors refused invitations to the White House after their NBA titles, with stars, like, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant openly highlighting their discomfort with then-President Trump. Their decision set a precedent for other teams considering whether to attend or decline on the basis personal and team level values. But basketball wasn’t the only resisting frontier.
The trend continued in the NFL, where the Philadelphia Eagles declined a White House visit after their Super Bowl win. Reasons for such decisions have varied—some teams have cited political differences, while others preferred to avoid the attention and debate that come with such a visit. The Dodgers, by choosing to attend, are sticking to tradition, but in today’s sports landscape, every decision on this matter becomes part of a larger discussion.
For the Dodgers, this visit is a moment to celebrate a championship, but history shows that not all teams view it the same way. As White House invitations continue to spark debate, the question remains—should these visits remain a standard tradition, or are they now caught in conversations beyond sports?
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