George W. Bush Throws Ceremonial First Pitch to Kick Off World Series

Former President George W. Bush kicked off the World Series by throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 1. Bush, who was the former Texas governor and managing partner of the Texas Rangers from 1989-1994, bounced the throw from the front of the mound to former Rangers catcher Iván “Pudge” Rodriguez.

During his presidency, Bush famously threw the first pitch of the first World Series game in New York after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He made that toss from the rubber without a bounce. Before this first pitch, Bush reminisced with former Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter about Jeter telling him he had to throw from the mound and couldn’t bounce the pitch in 2001, or else he would get booed.

“Well, this is Texas,” Jeter said. “You bounce it, they won’t boo you.” Bush replied, “No, no. It doesn’t matter now.”

For the ceremonial first pitch, Bush wore a white jacket with the Rangers’ red “T” logo, while Rodriguez wore his familiar No. 7 jersey. Rodriguez, a former Rangers player, was still playing the last time the Rangers reached the World Series in 2010 and 2011.

This isn’t the first time that Bush has thrown out a ceremonial first pitch with his father, George H.W. Bush. They previously paired up for the 2010 World Series in Arlington, Texas, and the 2017 World Series in Houston. The younger Bush currently resides in Dallas.