George W. Bush, the forty third President of the USA, tossed the ceremonial first pitch earlier than Sport 1 of the World Collection Friday evening.
Bush took the bump at Globe Life Area, residence of the group he used to personal, the Texas Rangers, earlier than they took on the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Bush took the sphere shortly after the nationwide anthem, and Rangers legendary catcher Ivan ”Pudge” Rodriguez walked behind the plate to catch Bush’s pitch.
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Former U.S. President George W. Bush throws a ceremonial first pitch previous to Sport 1 of the World Collection between the Texas Rangers and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Globe Life Area Oct. 27, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. (Sam Hodde/Getty Photos)
The throw from the entrance of the mound went into the filth, nevertheless it was no match for the 13-time Gold Glover. The 2 embraced and exited the sphere to a rousing ovation.
It was the twelfth time Bush has thrown out a ceremonial first pitch at an MLB recreation, and his fifth time as former president. It was his first ceremonial first pitch because the 2017 World Collection at Minute Maid Park, residence of the Houston Astros. That was additionally the final time a president, present or former, had thrown out a primary pitch till Friday.
Former Texas Ranger Ivan Rodriguez and former U.S. President George W. Bush meet throughout a ceremonial first pitch previous to Sport 1 of the World Collection between the Texas Rangers and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Globe Life Area Oct. 27, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. (Jamie Squire/Getty Photos)
Whereas Bush toed an MLB rubber 11 instances previous to this one, maybe his finest, and possibly one of the best ever, was his good strike earlier than Sport 3 of the 2001 World Collection on the outdated Yankee Stadium.
It was simply seven weeks after 9/11 and roughly 13 miles from Floor Zero when Bush took the mound in a bulletproof vest beneath an FDNY sweater. Beforehand, Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter famously instructed him within the clubhouse, ”Do not bounce it; they’re going to boo you.”
Bush strutted on to the mound with confidence to a standing ovation, appeared on the Bronx devoted, gave a thumbs up and fired a strike as chants of ”USA” rang all through the ballpark. The Diamondbacks, the Rangers’ opponent on this yr’s Fall Basic, gained that sequence in seven video games, stopping the Yankees wanting a four-peat.
President George W. Bush provides a thumbs up through the ceremonial first pitch previous to Sport 3 of the 2001 World Collection between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium Oct. 30, 2001, within the Bronx. (Wealthy Pilling/MLB by way of Getty Photos)
EVERYTHING TO KNOW ABOUT THE FALL CLASSIC BETWEEN THE RANGERS AND DIAMONDBACKS
That is the fifth time Bush has thrown a primary pitch at a Rangers recreation. The primary was in 2000 on opening day, the identical yr he was elected president whereas serving because the state’s governor. This was additionally his fifth ceremonial first pitch on the Fall Basic, and the third by which the Rangers had been taking part in.
Bush additionally has thrown out the primary pitch on the School World Collection, Little League World Collection and Japan Collection.
Former U.S. President George W. Bush throws out the primary pitch earlier than the Texas Rangers host the San Francisco Giants in Sport 4 of the 2010 World Collection at Rangers Ballpark Oct. 31, 2010, in Arlington, Texas. (Elsa/Getty Photos)
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William Howard Taft was the primary president to throw out a ceremonial first pitch when he did so April 14, 1910, earlier than the Washington Senators took on the Philadelphia Athletics. He threw the pitch to Corridor of Famer Walter Johnson.
Except for Donald Trump and Joe Biden, every president has thrown a ceremonial first pitch both throughout or after their time in workplace. Trump threw out a primary pitch at Fenway Park in 2006.
The final time a sitting president threw a ceremonial first pitch was when Barack Obama did so on opening day 2010.