The Los Angeles Dodgers completed their 2024 World Series celebration with a trip to the White House after accepting an invitation from President Donald Trump.
The decision to attend brought both criticism and supporters due to the political nature of the event and the controversiality of President Trump. Despite this, the Dodgers decided as a team to attend and made claims their decision was not political.
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The Dodgers had participation from all players for their trip to the White House, aside from Freddie Freeman, who did not travel with the team to let his sprained right ankle heal.
Had Freeman gone, he would have been the one to speak on behalf of the team, but it was instead Clayton Kershaw who delivered their message, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
Clayton Kershaw said Freddie Freeman was supposed to be one to represent #Dodgers and speak at White House event today. When Freeman went on IL and didn't travel, Kershaw was asked to do it (as he had in 2021). Said he wrote his speech on the plane here with help from wife, Ellen
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) April 7, 2025
Kershaw also joined Dodgers owner Mark Walter in presenting the president with a custom “Trump” jersey with No. 47 on it.
With Freeman unavailable to attend the White House and deliver his speech, it paralleled the Dodgers 2024 season, which was filled with injuries and adversity. That challenge the Dodgers dealt with throughout the season was highlighted by Trump during his speech to welcome the team.
“As you know, the Dodgers were down a lot of talent on the mound last season due to injury,” Trump said. “The resilient group used 40 different pitchers, the most ever by an eventual World Series championship team. They had to go and get them, I don’t know how they got them and where they got them, but they got them…”
“All year, the Dodgers faced down adversity, you entered the playoffs battered and bruised, but not broken.
“When you ran out the healthy arms, you ran out of really healthy, they had great arms, but they ran out. It’s called sports, it’s called baseball in particular, and pitchers, I guess you can say in really particular.
“But the starting rotation during the National League Division Series, this scrappy Dodgers bullpen shut out the Padres, saved the season and forced Game 5.
“Then key players battled back from mid-season injuries to help deliver the National League Pennant, including superstars Mookie Betts… and Max Muncy… and also Yoshi Yamamoto… and of course, series MVP, Tommy Edman.”
Clayton Kershaw White House speech
“This is an incredible honor for me to be standing here representing the Los Angeles Dodgers and this group of staff and players behind me,” Kershaw said during his speech. “The 2024 Los Angeles Dodgers season is one that will go down in the history books.
“Always holding a special place in the hearts of myself, and those there with me as well as millions of Dodger fans around the world. This organization exemplifies what it means to come together as one for a greater purpose and represent something so much bigger than themselves.
“The selflessness and humility that each one of these players and staff have shown over the last year is truly an inspiration. They have constantly played hurt, switched positions and taken the ball to put the team first. As a spectator for our championship run last year, I was in awe of this group.
“Their unwavering confidence, coupled with the selfless pursuit for team excellence, was an inspiration. That is why I’m so grateful to get to speak today on their behalf, as I know none of them would say this about themselves.
“Moving forward, I hope the 2024 Dodgers can serve as an inspiration to many, like they were to me. Not just in sports, but in life, remembering to put others before ourselves. It moves a team and a society forward. Thank you for allowing me to speak today, because the story of the 2024 World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers is a true joy to tell.
“And it’s because of the extraordinary people behind me and their incredible pursuit of excellence.”
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