George W. Bush is no stranger to the ballfield. He has thrown out the first pitch on a number of occasions, but something recently happened that caused people to wonder about his condition.
It happened when he was throwing out the ceremonial first pitch for the World Series opener. Jenna Bush Hager, his daughter, gave a little information behind the scenes after her dad tossed the pitch and bounced it.
Apparently, he was struggling because he had had back surgery earlier in the year. She said: “It did not, it curved, and he just had back surgery, so unfortunately he probably injured himself.”
A spokesperson for the former president confirmed that he had back surgery, saying: “President Bush isn’t one to make excuses, but that’s true — he did have fusion surgery on his lower back early this year.”
That type of surgery can be difficult but he is reportedly doing well.
When George Bush was elected governor of Texas in 1994, he sold his stake in the Rangers franchise. That was in 1998 and within two years, he would be at the White House. Since he has been president and even after his presidency, he was not tied formally to the Association.
A former Yankees shortstop interviewed former Pres. George W. Bush. That shortstop, Derek Jeter is now a TV analyst and he asked Bush what he thought about his team playing in the second World Series in history.
Bush said: “‘I’m fired up. As are the Rangers fans. We have a good team. […] I think we’re gonna prevail in six games, but we’ll see.”
President Bush also threw out the ceremonial first pitch before game three of the 2001 World Series at Yankee Stadium. He was a US president during that time and the teams playing were the New York Yankees and Arizona. He was also wearing a bulletproof vest during that event because it was shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Jeter was giving him a hard time as Bush warmed up 22 years ago at Yankee Stadium. He said: “Don’t bounce it, they will boo you.”
Bush then went on to say: “I picked you in six, too, as well.”
He ended up shaking hands with Jeter before game three of that 2001 series.
In addition, George W. Bush, along with his father George HW Bush were together to throw out the first pitch before game four of the 2010 World Series in Texas. They were also on hand before game 5 of the 2017 World Series in Houston.
The first president to throw out an opening pitch and the World Series was William Howard Taft and that was in 1910. This was prior to the Washington Senators playing the Philadelphia Athletics.
The only presidents who have not yet thrown out the first pitch include presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Trump did throw out the first pitch at Fenway Park in 2006, but that was before he was elected president.
The last president to throw out the ceremonial first pitch while in office was President Barack Obama. He threw out the opening pitch on the first day of the 2010 MLB season.
