Dodgers Eye Three-Peat as White House Visit Looms Amid Fan Debate
LOS ANGELES - The 2026 season is officially underway - at least in spirit - for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Over the weekend, more than 30,000 fans packed Dodger Stadium for the team’s annual DodgerFest, a high-energy celebration that bridges the offseason with Opening Day. With banners flying and optimism in the air, the reigning back-to-back World Series champions are setting their sights on a historic three-peat.
But while the focus on the field is clear - win another title - there’s a conversation off the field that’s starting to stir, and it’s one that could follow the team well into April: the Dodgers’ upcoming trip to the White House.
As part of their 2025 World Series victory celebration, the Dodgers are expected to make the traditional champions’ visit to Washington, D.C. this spring. And just like last year, it’s a decision that’s drawing attention - and some pushback - from parts of the fanbase and community.
At the center of it all is manager Dave Roberts. Last season, Roberts made headlines for attending the White House visit during President Trump’s first year of his current term. This year, he’s standing firm in his approach, reinforcing that his role is about baseball, not politics.
“I’m a baseball manager. That’s my job,” Roberts said Saturday at DodgerFest.
“I was raised - by a man who served our country for 30 years - to respect the highest office in our country. For me, it doesn’t matter who is in the office, I’m going to go to the White House.”
Roberts has never shied away from acknowledging the complexity of the moment, but he’s also been clear: he’s not trying to send a political message. His stance is rooted in tradition, respect, and a desire to keep the focus on the game and the achievement.
“For me, I am going to continue to try to do what tradition says and not try to make political statements, because I am not a politician,” he added.
Still, not everyone sees it that way. Advocacy groups, including the National Day Laborer Organization Network, have publicly urged the Dodgers to decline the invitation. In a recent Instagram post, the organization made an emotional appeal rooted in the identity of the city the team represents.
“Los Angeles is a city built by immigrants, working families, and dreamers,” the post read. “We celebrate our champions, but we also stand for justice, dignity, and love for our community.
Dodgers, stay with us. Stand with the city that has always stood with you.”
It’s a message that resonates with many in a city as diverse and politically active as Los Angeles. But for the team, the visit is about honoring a championship journey - not making a political endorsement.
For the players, this is about legacy. A trip to the White House, regardless of who occupies it, is one of those surreal, full-circle moments that caps a lifetime of dedication.
These are athletes who have poured years - decades, really - into their craft. For many, this visit is a once-in-a-career celebration, a symbolic exclamation point on a season that ended with champagne showers and a trophy hoist.
So while the debate may continue in the background, the Dodgers are keeping their eyes on the prize - both literally and figuratively. April’s visit to D.C. may stir opinions, but it won’t distract from the bigger picture: a team chasing history, a city rallying behind them, and a clubhouse full of players focused on writing another unforgettable chapter in Dodgers lore.