President Trump welcomed the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers to the Rose Garden on Thursday, highlighting recent renovations to the historic venue and recounting his engagement with the championship series, including a wager with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Trump described a "little bet" with Prime Minister Carney during the Dodgers' "thrilling" seven-game World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays. He did not disclose the nature of the wager but noted that the outcome was uncertain for a period. The president also praised Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani, comparing him to Babe Ruth and calling him "the best pitcher and the best hitter at the same time."
He recalled Ohtani's performance in the series-clinching Game 4 of the National League Championship Series on Oct. 17, 2025, where Ohtani pitched a six-inning shutout with 10 strikeouts and hit three home runs. Trump remarked that he considered it "the greatest game ever played" even before the announcer stated as much.
The president used the occasion to showcase the Rose Garden's recent upgrades, noting new white stone pavers and the adjacent Presidential Walk of Fame. He humorously described how women in heels previously struggled on the grass, stating, "That took place for about 150 years, and I decided to do something about it."
Trump also mentioned that the seat cushions had been thickened and quipped about the biographies on plaques beneath the Colonnade, suggesting he had been "very nice" in his descriptions, with a few exceptions.
This event marked the first time a sports team had visited the Rose Garden since the renovations were completed. Trump, an avid sports enthusiast who played baseball in his youth, expressed his enjoyment of watching the World Series unfold.