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The Dodgers were right to go to the White House

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On Thursday, the Los Angeles Dodgers went to the White House to be honored by President Donald Trump for winning their second consecutive World Series championship.

It was good for the Dodgers. It was good for Major League Baseball. And at a time when Americans seem increasingly determined to sort themselves into opposing political camps, it was good for the country.

For the first time, the longstanding tradition played out in the newly revamped Rose Garden. 

Trump shook hands with Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, Miguel Rojas, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Will Klein and others, giving a special call-out to Clayton Kershaw.

Trump singled out a play where Smith’s foot came off home plate for a split second, and instead of bluffing that he still had contact, he pulled it back and touched the plate before it would have cost the Dodgers the play.

The Dodgers, in turn, presented Trump with his own World Series championship ring and a Dodgers jersey bearing No. 47.

Trump clearly did his homework.

He spent a good part of his remarks walking through the Dodgers’ postseason, praising players and recounting some of its biggest moments. He recalled Ohtani’s extraordinary performance to clinch the National League pennant, when he pitched six scoreless innings while hitting three home runs.

Trump also talked about staying up until nearly 3 a.m. watching Game 3 of the World Series, the 18-inning marathon against Toronto that Freddie Freeman finally ended with a walk-off home run.

“This is a special moment, and I think especially because it’s the Dodgers,”........

© New York Post