Mookie Betts becomes latest Dodgers player to skip White House visit, insists it's 'not political'

The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-2 in their season opener, and are looking to three-peat as World Series champions. Colin Cowherd asks if this dynasty is good for baseball.

The Los Angeles Dodgers organization is the most successful current franchise on the field, and the most successful at finding ways to put themselves in the center of controversies.

All because they’re in a constant tug of war between making left-wing fans and sportswriters happy, and remaining apolitical because they are, of course, a baseball team. When they won the 2024 World Series, they faced a firestorm of criticism from left-wing sportswriters and some extreme fans for accepting President Donald Trump's invitation to visit the White House.

That continued almost immediately after LA won the 2025 title too, with pro-immigration groups like the National Day Laborer Organizing Network asking the Dodgers, a baseball team, to stand "on the right side of history." Writers for the Los Angeles Times were equally absurd, saying, "All in all, it’s hard to imagine the Dodgers agreeing to a celebratory photo op with the president right now. Los Angeles is not just Dodger blue, but Democrat blue."

DODGERS WILL AGAIN VISIT WHITE HOUSE TO CELEBRATE WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP, OFFICIAL SAYS

These criticisms were absurd, given that the traditional and ceremonial White House visit has nothing to do with politics. The Dodgers likely have players from all over the political spectrum. They have fans from all over the political spectrum. Yes, Los Angeles County is a Democratic Party stronghold. It also has more Republicans than any other county in the country, numerically. They also have a large national fanbase, with fans in states like