After months of speculation, the Los Angeles Dodgers have finally set a date for their trip to the nation's capital.
The Dodgers secured back-to-back World Series titles last season by defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in seven games. They won a thrilling Game 7 in extra innings thanks to a solo home run from catcher Will Smith. Despite being several months removed from their epic championship run, the Dodgers have finally agreed to meet with President Trump.
According to the California Post, the Dodgers are scheduled to visit the White House on July 23. They'll have the day off after completing a three-game series with the Philadelphia Phillies.
"President Trump is excited to welcome the Los Angeles Dodgers BACK to the White House to celebrate their World Series championship," a White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said.
There was a petition for the Dodgers to skip this visit.
Well before the Dodgers set a date for their White House visit, a petition was launched in an effort to make them skip this celebration. It received over 22,900 signatures.
"The Los Angeles Dodgers have always been more than a baseball team – they’re part of the spirit of who we are as a city. The team represents our neighborhoods, our families, and our shared love for our diverse communities. But right now, our community, our city are under siege, we need them to stand with us, on the right side of history," the petition read. "Please join our petition by asking the Dodgers not to attend the traditional ceremony at the White House. Ask the team to honor the unity, integrity and diversity they themselves represent. They cannot stay silent as our families and neighbors face violence, detention, and deportation.
"By visiting a president who has used his power to harm the most vulnerable, the team would be turning its back on the very people who fill the stadiums, wear the jerseys, and give this team its heart. By encouraging the team to do the right thing, we will show the White House that Los Angeles stands for compassion, dignity, and solidarity with their immigrant neighbors."
We'll see how the fans in Los Angeles respond to the Dodgers meeting with the president.
