2019 Mookie Betts wasn’t on the same page as 2025 Mookie Betts. It’s not every day that a World Series champion reflects on and calls himself out for a decision he made five years ago. And this time, he wants to make it right. The Los Angeles Dodgers will head to the White House next week to celebrate their 2024 World Series title. Before diving into that, let’s rewind to 2019.
At that time, Betts was a part of the Boston Red Sox and made headlines for declining to visit the White House under then-President Donald Trump. Later in 2021, he decided to join the Dodgers when President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris welcomed the club following their 2020 championship.
Fast forward to the present day: Betts has decided to go this year, and he also opened up about “why.” The Dodgers, including Betts, will visit to the White House before their series opener against the Washington Nationals.
Mookie Betts said he will visit White House with #Dodgers team on Monday. Not a political decision. “I want to be there with my boys because they’ve been there for me”
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) April 4, 2025
Betts confirmed his trip to the White House and cleared the air by opening up about it. He stated, “This is not about me; I don’t want anything to be about me. This is about the Dodgers. Because these boys were there for me.” He continued, “I want to be there with my boys because they’ve been there for me.” Clearly, Betts wanted to ensure that this decision was about loyalty to his team—nothing else.
Looking back, he described skipping the 2019 visit as “regret.” That event was also missed by Boston manager Alex Cora and pitcher David Price. Most importantly, Betts owned up to his past decision, reportedly admitting, “I made it about me. … I’m not the same person I was then.” He doesn’t want history to repeat itself.
Betts saw the speculations coming and, to be on the safer side, he addressed it directly by stating, “No matter what I say or what I do, people are going to take it as political. But that’s definitely not what it is.” That was a bold statement, yet a necessary one. Betts made it clear that this decision isn’t about politics—it’s about supporting his teammates and choosing unity.
It’s evident that Betts has done some self-reflection. His choice to stand by his teammates says it all.
The post “I’m Not the Same Person” – Regretful Mookie Betts Vows to Right His Red Sox-Era Mistake appeared first on EssentiallySports.
