You could make the argument that former President George Bush is the most notable and visible fan of the Texas Rangers. The Houston Astros have “Mattress Mack,” and the Rangers have the 43rd President of the United States.
On Thursday, it was announced that Bush would be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 1 of the 2023 World Series between the Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks. Having won 90 games during the regular season, compared to the Dbacks’ 84 wins, Texas has home-field advantage with Games 1 and 2, as well as 6 and 7 (if necessary) at Globe Life Park in Arlington, TX.
Bush is perhaps credited with throwing one of the most famous first pitches of all time. The former president threw out the first pitch of Game 3 of the 2001 World Series at Yankee Stadium, a month and a half after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Oddly enough, that World Series also included the Arizona Diamondbacks.
In 1989, then-Rangers owner and oil tycoon Eddie Chiles sold the team to an investment group headed by Bush. He was named Managing General Partner of the ownership group and held that position until he was elected the Governor of Texas in 1994. He sold his stake in the team in 1998, which coincided with his presidential run.
The 77-year-old Bush still finds himself at plenty of Rangers games, and will most likely be in attendance for all the World Series games at Globe Life Park.
Bush will throw the first pitch before Game 1 on Friday to Hall of Fame catcher Pudge Rodríguez.
About Sam Neumann
Since the beginning of 2023, Sam has been a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. A 2021 graduate of Temple University, Sam is a Charlotte native, who currently calls Greenville, South Carolina his home. He also has a love/hate relationship with the New York Mets and Jets.