As President Joe Biden hosted the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers to the White House, he praised the power of sports to bring people together during times of crisis.
The Dodgers won the title last October by beating the Tampa Bay Rays. They were also the first to be honored at White House since the COVID-19 pandemic began and the first since Biden was elected.
Biden said that he realized that sports were more important than ever and praised baseball as a source of normalcy during “one of our most difficult years” in America’s history.
The president praised the Dodgers for being “more than just a baseball team, they are a pillar in American culture,” and also praised their use of the stadium as a mass COVID-19 vaccine site.
This ceremony was the latest in a series of events that the White House is trying to hold in person to celebrate the nation’s recovery from the pandemic. The East Room event was attended by more than 50 members of their team, as well as many political heavyweights from California, such as Vice President Kamala Harris and Kevin McCarthy, House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, and Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles Mayor.
Biden kept things light and joked that he didn’t want to dwell too much on Harris’ long-standing rival, San Francisco Giants. Biden also shared stories about his exploits at a congressional baseball game. He said that he hit a wall ball that delighted his sons more then any of his political achievements.
Clayton Kershaw, the future Hall of Fame pitcher for the team, gave Biden what has now become the standard gift: A jersey with the president’s number and name emblazoned on it. Biden, 46th commander-in-chief, joked that he was showing that he was “a man who has courage” by holding up the jersey, as he feared attracting the wrath from First Lady Jill Biden (a passionate Philadelphia Phillies fan).
This jubilant celebration lacked many of the political overtones that were a hallmark of visits by teams during Donald Trump’s presidency. Some champions, such as the Golden State Warriors or Philadelphia Eagles skipped being honored by the White House. Some, such as the New England Patriots or Boston Red Sox did not send a large delegation, and many players chose to stay at home.
Trevor Bauer, Pitcher, was not present at the event because he is currently under a protection order for allegedly assaulting a woman in consensual sexual sex. He denied all allegations.
The Dodgers are in town to play a four-game series against the Washington Nationals. They stated that only 2020 World Series players would be there, and Bauer did not sign up with them until this year. Major League Baseball placed the reigning NL Cy Young Award Winner on seven-day administrative Leave Friday.
Mookie Betts was the Red Sox’s star outfielder, but he did not travel with the team to the White House. Betts, who is now with the Dodgers was there.
Trump is also known for his fast food service to visiting teams; no details were immediately available on meals that the Dodgers ate at the White House.
The 2020 title was the seventh World Series Championship for the Dodgers. They are again among the favorites this year, prompting Biden joke that he might see them again.
