- America’s No. 43 appeared on Globe Life Filed with Rangers great Ivan Rodriguez
- Bush and other investors bought the Rangers 34 years ago for $89 million
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Former US President George W. Bush threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 1 of the Word Series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Texas Rangers, the latter owners from 1984 to 1994.
Friday night in Arlington, Texas, was Bush’s fourth ceremonial first pitch in the World Series, but his first before an opening game. He emerged from the dugout at Globe Life Field with former Rangers catcher Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez.
The 77-year-old, who is the 43rd President of the United States, and other investors bought the Rangers 34 years ago for $89 million. While Bush himself acquired only two percent of the team, he became managing partner and front office head of Texas.
Bush left the Rangers after being elected governor of Texas in 1994 and sold his share of the franchise in 1998. He made it to the White House two years later and had no formal ties to the franchise in his post-presidential life.
When asked what former Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, now a TV analyst, thought about his favorite baseball team’s participation in the second World Series in history, the ex-Republican said, “I’m excited.” As well the Rangers fans. We have a good team. […] I think we’ll prevail in six games, but we’ll see.”
Former Texas Rangers member Ivan Rodriguez and former US President George W. Bush
Bush – America’s 43rd President – threw out the ceremonial first pitch in Game 1 of the Word Series
The twice-elected former president, 77, bought the Rangers, his favorite MLB team, in 1989
Bush laughs with Rodriguez after throwing out the first pitch to the Rangers-Diamondbacks
Bush served as US President from 2001 to 2009 and threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 3 of the 2001 Word Series at Yankee Stadium between New York and Arizona. Given the tight security measures following the September 11 terrorist attacks, Bush wore a bulletproof vest.
As Bush warmed up under the stands of the old Yankee Stadium 22 years ago, Jeter told him, “Don’t jump around with it, they’ll boo you,” Bush later recalled.
“I picked you at six, too,” he teasingly reminded the five-time World Series champion Friday night.
Bush (top C) and former first lady Laura Bush (top R) in the first inning of Friday night’s game
Bush shakes hands with Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter before Game 3 of the 2001 World Series
Bush threw ceremonial first pitches with his father, former President George H. W. Bush, before Game 4 of the 2010 World Series in Texas and before Game 5 of the 2017 World Series in Houston. The younger Bush lives in Dallas.
William Howard Taft was the first president to attend a World Series in 1910 before the Washington Senators played the Philadelphia Athletics. He threw the pitch to Hall of Famer Walter Johnson.
Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden are the only heads of state who have not thrown a ceremonial first pitch during or after their terms in office. Trump threw out his first pitch at Fenway Park in 2006.
President Barack Obama was the last sitting president to throw out a ceremonial first pitch on opening day of the 2010 MLB season.