George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States, and the former Rangers owners throw out the most fantastic ceremonial first pitch ever. It happened before Game 1 of the World Series opener between the Texas Rangers and the Arizona Diamondbacks.
According to the Associated Press, it was Bush’s fourth World Series ceremonial first pitch; however, we found it significant as it was first before the opener, bouncing the throw from the front of the heap.
The tradition of presidents throwing out ceremonial first pitches dates back to 1910 with President William Howard Taft.
George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States between 2001 and 2009, was part of the group Rangers purchased in 1989. The former Texas governor spent 1989-1994 as part of Rangers as a managing partner, playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks. President Bush resigned as managing partner following his elections for Texas governor in 1994.
George W. Bush, a former Texas Rangers owner, encountered warm greetings and loud cheers being announced at Globe Life Field. The crowd chanted “USA” after President Bush threw the ceremonial pitch to Rangers legend Ivan Pudge Rodriguez.
Bush took the field right after the national anthem, and Rangers legendary catcher Ivan Pudge Rodriguez walked behind the plate to catch the pitch. The throw from the front of the heap went into the dirt, but it was no match for the 13-time Gold Glove. The two of them embraced and excited the field in an inspiring ovation.
The ball bounced well and skipped away from the former Rangers catcher. President Bush and Rodriguez, the Hall of Famer, were smiling and laughing while leaving the field.
Previously, Bush’s most famous first pitch came before Game 3 of the 2021 World Series held between the Diamondbacks and New York Yankees. He traveled to Yankee Stadium and delivered the pitch to Yankee pitcher and fellow Texan Roger Clemens.
President Bush threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 3 of the 2001 World Series at Yankee Stadium between New York and Arizona. At that time, due to heavy security following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Bush wore a bulletproof vest under an FDNY sweater.
Bush even later recalled that while warming up beneath the stands of old Yankee Stadium, the Yankees Derek Jeter told him, “Don’t bounce it, they will boo it.” Jeter talked about the first pitch at the 2001 World Series between the Yankees and Diamondbacks and recalled how Bush threw a perfect strike.
Again Jeter laughed and told Bush, “This is Texas, so if you bounce it, they won’t boo you.” Bush replied, “No, no, it doesn’t matter now.”
Bush wore a white jacket with the Ranger’s red “T” logo on the front, and Rodriguez wore his familiar number 7 jersey.
Rodriguez, the 13-time Gold Glove player and 14-time all-star, has spent 12 seasons with the Rangers. The Wall of Famer was still playing when the Rangers reached the world session in 2010 and 2011.
Bush threw out ceremonial pitches with his father, former president George H.W. Bush, before Game 4 of the 2010 World Session in Texas and another time before Game 5 of the 2017 World Series in Houston.
It was the 12th time Bush threw a ceremonial first pitch at an MLB game and the fifth time as a former president. However, it was his first ceremonial pitch since the 2017 World Series occurred at Minute Maid Park in Houston. It is a significant event as the last time a current or any former president has thrown out a first pitch.
