Regretfully, George W. Bush

George W. Bush, the former president, recently made news when he threw the ceremonial first pitch during the World Series opening. The incident was clarified by his daughter, Jenna Bush Hager, who said that her father had undergone back surgery earlier in the year.

It didn’t, it curved, and he recently had back surgery, so he most likely hurt himself, she clarified. “Bush’s back surgery was verified by a spokeswoman, who stated, “President Bush isn’t one to make excuses, However, it is accurate—earlier this year, he underwent lower back fusion surgery. He is recuperating nicely in spite of the procedure.

After Bush was elected governor of Texas in 1994, he sold his Rangers stock in 1998 and departed the team. In his post-presidential life, he has had no official affiliation with the franchise, despite making it to the White House two years later.

When former Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, who is now a TV analyst, asked him what he thought about his favourite baseball team participating in its second World Series in history, the former Republican responded, “I’m fired up.” The Rangers supporters are, too. We’re a strong team. […] Though we’ll see, I believe we’ll win in six games.

Bush delivered the ceremonial first pitch prior to Game 3 of the 2001 World Series between New York and Arizona at Yankee Stadium. Bush served as president of the United States from 2001 to 2009. Bush wore a bulletproof vest during the intense security that followed the terrorist events of September 11, 2001.

Bush subsequently claimed that Jeter warned him, “Don’t bounce it, they will boo you,” as he warmed up under the stands at the former Yankee Stadium 22 years ago. On Friday night, he teased the five-time World Series champion, saying, “I picked you in six, too, as well.” Before the third game of the 2001 World Series, Bush shakes hands with Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter…

Before Game 4 of the 2010 World Series in Texas and before Game 5 of the 2017 World Series in Houston, Bush and his father, former President George H.W. Bush, ceremoniously tossed out first pitches. Dallas is where the younger Bush resides.

Before the Washington Senators faced the Philadelphia Athletics in 1910, William Howard Taft became the first president to pitch at a World Series. Walter Johnson, a Hall Baseball Famer, received the pitch from him.

The only presidents to have not thrown a ceremonial first pitch during or after their tenure in office are Joe Biden and Donald Trump. In 2006, Trump threw out the first pitch at Fenway Park. On the first day of the 2010 Major League Baseball season, President Barack Obama became the last sitting president to throw a ceremonial first pitch.