The Los Angeles Dodgers are visiting the White House on Thursday. And a familiar face has decided to join them there, despite his baseball career now being over.
Clayton Kershaw has appeared at the White House alongside his former Dodgers teammates. Kershaw retired after the 2025 season, marking the end of his 18-year tenure (all of which came with the Dodgers).
Kershaw also got several shoutouts from President Donald Trump. At one point when addressing the crowd, Trump mentioned that Kershaw was present, went to shake his hand, and then said, “He’s a winner. You talk about a winner, look at that guy!”
Trump seemingly didn’t realize that Kershaw was retired, as he said afterwards, “He’s still pitching well I bet, right?”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts then told Trump that the 38-year-old Kershaw was no longer playing, to which Trump responded by asking Kershaw whether he would still be out there the Dodgers needed him.
Kershaw (who is now with the Dodgers’ staff as a special assistant) said that he wouldn’t, which caused Trump and the rest of the crowd to laugh.
While Kershaw’s best days are behind him, the fact that he finished his career with 223 wins, a 2.53 ERA, 3,052 strikeouts, and three World Series rings suggests he could probably still compete at a high level if he wanted to.
But his response to President Trump proves clearly doesn’t want to.
