President Joe Biden recognized the Los Angeles Dodgers 2020 World Series win as not only a victory for the team but one for the nation amid a difficult year.
During the team’s visit to the White House Friday, Biden suggested when the season began, “It was easy to feel like we had bigger things to worry about than just sports and of course we did, and we still do. But I think what we discovered is that we need sports more than we ever realized.”
He went on to recognize the team’s work they do “on and off the field.” Their efforts include administering more than one million COVID-19 tests at the stadium and getting nearly half of a million vaccine doses in the arms of Americans.
“Not only does Dodger Stadium host world champions, it helps save lives and strengthen our democracy as well,” Biden said.
Watch Biden’s remarks below:
Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw delivered remarks of his own, acknowledging the “last season was a special one for us, but it was also a challenging one for our country.”
He added, “And our hope was we were able to provide just a little bit of joy and comfort and relief to our fans that were going through some tough times.”
The Dodgers presented Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris with custom jerseys.
Closing his remarks, Biden told the team, “It really means a lot to us that you’re here. It means a lot that the kind of hope you give the American people, don’t underestimate it, don’t underestimate it.”
More than 604,000 Americans have lost their lives to the coronavirus.