Mookie Betts On White House: 'I Won't Be Going There'

If and when the Red Sox visit the White House, it won't be with their young MVP. Mookie Betts, one of the top players in baseball, was the latest member of the World Series champions to say he will not attend the trip to be recognized by President Trump in Washington.

"I won't be going there," the American League MVP told The Boston Globe over the weekend. "I decided not to."

Betts, 26, did not give a reason for not attending. The Red Sox have given their players permission to skip the traditionally celebratory event if they choose.

It might be a moot point if the Red Sox never make it to the White House. The team on Friday postponed their trip, scheduled for Feb. 15, due to the government shutdown. Trump temporarily reopened the government soon after, but Trump said it would close again on Feb. 15 if Democrats don't provide funds for a wall along the southern border.

Betts joins Rafael Devers as the only players to say they are not going, though Eduardo Rodriguez said he likely won't go. Eduardo Nunez and Xander Bogaerts are still undecided. Manager Alex Cora has not committed one way or the other, but recently sounded like he was unlikely to attend given Trump's past comments about Cora's native Puerto Rico.

Several players, including Rick Porcello, Chris Sale, Blake Swihart, Matt Barnes, Ryan Brasier, Mitch Moreland, Brock Holt, Brian Johnson, Steve Pearce, Rick Porcello, Chris Sale, and Blake Swihart have said they will go, according to The Globe.

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)