Joe Kelly & More Highlights From Dodgers Visiting White House

4 Min Read
President Joe Biden speaks during an event to honor the 2020 World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team at the White House, Friday, July 2, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

The Los Angeles Dodgers visited the White House on Friday morning to celebrate their 2020 World Series title. Festivities were held in the East Room as players and coaches were greeted by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Brusdar Graterol and Corey Seager were among the players who made the trip to the nation’s capital. They of course played a big part in the Dodgers winning the World Series last year but aren’t currently on the active roster.

Also on hand were Dodgers principle owner Mark Walter, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti. Of course, it was Joe Kelly who was the talk of the event as he wore a mariachi coat recently acquired in exchange for a Dodgers jersey.

“I saw Joe in the morning at breakfast at the hotel. It was more of a smile with a head shake,” manager Dave Roberts said. “Unexpected, but not surprised by the outfit. Just seemed pretty fitting.”

The club hasn’t yet been able to hold a traditional parade because of some coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic restrictions still being in place.

The Dodgers initially weren’t even sure if they’d be able to visit the White House on their current road trip, but everything fortunately worked out.

“I think we all had high expectations of what to expect, and it certainly exceeded all of them. Spending time with the President and madam Vice President, they were engaging, they were present,” Roberts said.

“Really took the time to give a little tour of the White House, spent some time in The Red Room, The Map Room, The China Room. It was kind of like ‘The American President.’

“I got to revisit that. It was fantastic. Hearing the things [President Biden] said about baseball in relation to our country and the Dodgers, very special. I thought Clayton did a great job being the master of ceremonies and helping us present the jerseys as well.”

Second gentleman visits Dodgers

Prior to their opener against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Thursday, the Dodgers were visited in the clubhouse by husband to the Vice President and second gentleman Douglas Emhoff.

Emhoff is a lifelong Dodgers fan and had the opportunity to meet Roberts, Clayton Kershaw and Albert Pujols, among other players and coaches.

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Matt Borelli covers the Los Angeles Dodgers as a senior editor for Dodger Blue and holds similar responsibilities for Lakers Nation, a sister site with an emphasis on the Los Angeles Lakers. He also contributes to RamsNewswire.com and RaidersNewswire.com. An avid fantasy sports player, Matt is a former 2014 MLB Beat the Streak co-champion. His favorite Dodgers moment, among a list of many, is Clayton Kershaw's no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies in 2014. Follow him on X/Twitter: @mcborelli.
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