Former President George W. Bush who served as the 43rd president of the United States from 2001 to 2009, had the honor of throwing the ceremonial first pitch before Game 1 of the World Series. He tossed the ball to former Texas Rangers catcher Iván “Pudge” Rodriguez, though the throw bounced from the front of the pitcher’s mound.
George W. Bush who is 77 years old now, has a deep connection to the Rangers, having served as their managing partner from 1989 to 1994. The Rangers were facing off against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Notably, during his presidency, George W. Bush made a memorable first pitch at the World Series held in New York shortly after the tragic events of September 11, 2001. On that occasion, he threw the pitch from the pitcher’s rubber without a bounce.
Former President George W. Bush throws out the ceremonial first pitch at Game 1 of the #WorldSeries
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— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 27, 2023
Before the recent first pitch, George W. Bush had a conversation with former Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, who is now a TV analyst. Jeter reminded Bush of the advice he had given him in 2001, urging him to throw from the mound and not bounce the pitch, or else he’d be booed. Bush quipped, “Well, this is Texas. You bounce it, they won’t boo you.” He seemed more at ease this time around.
For the ceremonial first pitch, Bush donned a white jacket with the Rangers’ iconic red “T” logo on the chest, while Iván “Pudge” Rodriguez sported his familiar No. 7 jersey.
Rodriguez was an integral part of the Rangers during their World Series appearances in 2010 and 2011. He was a 13-time Gold Glove winner and a 14-time All-Star who spent the majority of his 21-year career with the Rangers.
George W. Bush has a history of throwing out ceremonial first pitches with his father, the late George H.W. Bush, who was the 41st president. They teamed up for the honor before Game 4 of the 2010 World Series in Arlington, Texas, and again for Game 5 in Houston in 2017. George W. Bush currently resides in Dallas.
