MLB World Series: George W. Bush Throws Out Ceremonial Pitch

Former US President George W. Bush marked the opening of Game 1 of the MLB World Series by throwing the ceremonial first pitch at Globe Life Field, the home stadium of the Texas Rangers, a team he used to have an ownership stake in, FOX News noted.

This special event took place before the Rangers faced off the Arizona Diamondbacks.

George W. Bush went to the mound shortly after the national anthem, and the legendary Rangers catcher Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez positioned himself behind the plate to catch the former president's pitch.

While the throw from the front of the mound hit the dirt, Rodriguez, a 13-time Gold Glover, effortlessly made the catch. The two shared an embrace and exited the field, greeted by a warm ovation from the crowd.

This marked the 12th time that George W. Bush has thrown out a ceremonial first pitch at a Major League Baseball game and his fifth appearance in this role as a former president.

His most recent ceremonial first pitch was during the 2017 World Series at Minute Maid Park, the home of the Houston Astros.

Notably, this was also the first time a sitting or former president had thrown a first pitch at an MLB game since that occasion.

George W. Bush Thinks Rangers Will Win the MLB World Series

Before taking the mound, George W. Bush shared his optimism for the Texas Rangers in the current MLB World Series, per the NY Post.

In a conversation with former Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter on Fox, Bush expressed his enthusiasm for the team, recalling his prior ownership involvement.

"I'm fired up, as all the Rangers fans. We've got a good team - Arizona's good. I think we're going to prevail in six games. We'll see," he stated.

Derek Jeter, who also favored the Rangers to win in six games over the Diamondbacks, received Bush's approval with an "Atta, boy."

George W. Bush and the Texas Rangers

Although George W. Bush no longer owns the Rangers, he had a stake in the team from 1989 to 1994, according to Sporting News.

He played an important role in organizing a group to purchase the franchise for $89 million when it went up for sale in 1988.

Though his ownership stake was just two percent after the deal, Bush became the team's managing general partner and was the prominent figure in the ownership group related to the baseball aspects of the business.

His association with the Rangers ended when he was elected as the governor of Texas in 1994. He sold his stake in the franchise in 1998, preceding his election to the US presidency.

Despite his formal disconnection from the organization, George W. Bush maintained close ties with the Texas Rangers.

He actively supported the team during their 2010 journey to the World Series, attending every home playoff game and participating in the first pitch ceremony alongside his father during the MLB World Series game.

His friendship with Nolan Ryan, who was part-owner and control person for the Rangers from 2010 to 2013, was a contributing factor in his continued involvement.

Moreover, according to a book by former MLB commissioner Fay Vincent, George W. Bush had shown genuine interest in becoming the commissioner of MLB during the 1990s.

Ultimately, his path led to becoming the governor of Texas and serving two terms as the President of the United States, a position he held for eight years.

Even now, nearly 15 years after his tenure in office, George W. Bush remains an avid supporter of the Texas Rangers while also demonstrating his enthusiasm for the broader world of baseball.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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