After concluding a homestand with series against the Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants, the Los Angeles Dodgers will depart Wednesday for the start of an eight-game road trip to play the Washington Nationals and Miami Marlins.
With it being their first time in the nation’s capital since winning the 2020 World Series, the Dodgers are hopeful to visit President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House.
“I’ve heard rumblings that it’s going to happen,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. I don’t know which day exactly, but right now I think it’s going to be a smaller number with protocols. We’re pretty hopeful it will happen.”
Three of four games against the Nationals begin in the evening, with the only early start coming on the Fourth of July. Thus, the Dodgers conceivably could be honored on Thursday, Friday or Saturday.
In February, President Biden said he would invite the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and L.A. Lakers to the White House once COVID-19 (coronavirus) restrictions permitted so the two teams could be recognized for their respective championships from last season.
The United States has made considerable progress since Biden’s remarks earlier this year as vaccinations are widely available and have been administered to citizens on a large scale.
Nevertheless, potentially visiting the White House remains a challenge. “It has been very difficult,” Roberts said of the Dodgers working to iron out logistics.
“Obviously, correspondence with the White House, they’ve got a lot of important things going on. The Dodgers have done a great job of trying to figure it out for the players, the staff and coaches. We still don’t have complete finality, but I know that I’m personally excited if the opportunity presents itself.
“I think our coaches and players are as well. I hope Vice President Kamala is there. I would love to meet her as well as the President. It’s an honor and something that most champions get the opportunity. It’s something I’ve always dreamt about.”
Dodgers yet to truly celebrate World Series
If the Dodgers are able to see a White House visit come to fruition, it would be their first World Series celebration of sorts. The team was unable to have a parade due to the pandemic and a World Series ring ceremony before playing their first home game was in front of a reduced-capacity crowd at Dodger Stadium.
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