Donald Trump honored Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani with a special gift during the MLB franchise’s trip to the White House Monday.
The president welcomed the Dodgers to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue to celebrate their 2024 World Series victory over the New York Yankees – a tradition that is customary for all US sports teams who have won their respective championships.
And the 78-year-old commended Ohtani, the Dodgers’ Japanese two-way sensation, in particular.
Ohtani, who inked a eye-watering 10-year, $700 million contact with Los Angeles in December 2023, enjoyed a historic season by becoming the first player in MLB history to reach 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single campaign.
For his feat, Ohtani was bestowed a personal gift by the president when he welcomed the reigning champions into the Oval Office.
As the 30-year-old posed next to Trump, who was seated at the Resolute desk, the Commander-in-Chief told him: ‘It’s a great honor, you’re an amazing athlete and person.’
Donald Trump welcomed the Los Angeles Dodgers to the White House on Monday morning
The president presented Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers’ two-way star, with a special gift
He then proceeded to hand the baseball sensation what appeared to be two medallions out of a box on the desk.
Two months ago, Senator Tim Scott shared photos on Instagram of a medallion – one side embossed with the presidential seal and the other with Trump’s own crest – that appear to be the same as the ones received by Ohtani.
‘This medallion from President Trump given to us at the White House yesterday represents, not just the President of the United States, but America being great again and a better future for our nation,’ Scott wrote.
During his address earlier in the East Room, Trump shook Ohtani’s hand, saying he looked like a ‘movie star.’
‘He shattered all of those records last year,’ Trump said of the two-way sensation. ‘Think of it, all of them, and he did something even more because he became the first ever member of the 50-50 club. So 40-40 is tough, hitting 54 home runs and 59 steals and accomplished an accomplishment unparalleled in 149 years of Major League Baseball. Think of that. That’s just incredible.’
‘Even more incredibly, Shohei clinched that achievement in what some have called the greatest game ever. Was it that good of a game? That was pretty good. Is he good?,’ he continued turning to manager Dave Roberts, who answered: ‘He’s only getting better.’
‘That’s scary for a lot of people, huh?,’ the president replied.
Trump also spoke highly of Roberts, whom he hailed as ‘one of the greatest managers ever to wear the Dodger blue.’
The Commander-in-Chief gushed over Ohtani, who enjoyed a historic 2024 season
The president made the Japanese sensation pose by the Declaration of Independence
The president greets Dodgers manager Dave Roberts on the podium in the East Room
The Dodgers’ visit came amid Trump’s refusal to back down on his tariffs policy as he threatened China with a further 50 per cent, despite substantial economic losses over the past week.
Yet, the 78-year-old failed to mention the economic nightmare that the nation is faced with, instead returning his attention to the baseball players in attendance.
He shook hands with Mookie Betts and Kike Hernandez after also individually showering them with praise.
Trump, despite being a Yankees fan, also said he hopes the team receives another championship invite to the White House next year. ‘All year the Dodgers faced adversity, you entered the playoffs battered and bruised, but not broken,’ he said.
Yet, Trump’s praise wasn’t reserved to the Dodgers’ skills on the diamond as he also bizarrely gushed over their handshakes, comparing them to the ‘Jell-o’ arms of politicians.
Following the president’s remarks, Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw gave a brief speech announcing that the team had a ‘gift’ for Trump, before presenting him with a personalized ‘No. 47’ jersey.
Trump then whisked the World Series champions down to the Oval Office, where he strangely made Ohtani pose next to the Declaration of Independence.
‘What a guy,’ he declared as Ohtani smiled for the cameras.
