He got the royal treatment.
Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers made a ceremonial visit to the White House in recognition of their 2024 World Series championship. The team, currently performing strongly early in the 2025 season with a 9-2 record, took time away from their busy schedule to celebrate last year’s success. Their visit included a meeting with President Donald Trump, who is in his second term in office and acknowledged the team’s accomplishments during the event.
While some sports teams opted out of similar visits during Trump’s first term, the Dodgers chose to participate this time. The spotlight was on Shohei Ohtani, who had a record-setting 2024 season, becoming the first player in MLB history to record 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in one season. President Trump applauded these achievements and even offered a personal compliment, likening Ohtani to a movie star and noting his promising future.
During the ceremony, veteran pitcher Clayton Kershaw presented the President with a custom Dodgers jersey that had his name and the number 47, symbolizing his place as the 47th U.S. president. The event served as both a celebration and a brief pause from the high expectations and intensity of the ongoing baseball season.
The celebration, however, occurred during a time of economic tension. The Trump administration had recently enacted widespread tariffs, triggering unease in global markets. These measures have led to economic uncertainty and sparked fears of a potential recession, with noticeable fluctuations in the stock market.
Despite the political and economic backdrop, the Dodgers’ White House visit highlighted the intersection of sports and national tradition, offering a moment of unity and recognition for one of baseball’s most accomplished teams.
