How George H.W. Bush learned very quickly that the Queen wasn't a baseball fan: New book reveals her graceful reaction during visit to a dull Orioles game that lasted two innings

dailymail ^ | 04/29/2024 | Nikki Schwab

[ChicagoConservative27]

President George W. Bush took Queen Elizabeth to her first ever baseball game in 1991 - and the excursion only lasted two innings.

A new book, penned by the late Bush's longtime chief of staff Jean Becker, sheds light on the exact moment the then-president realized the Queen wasn't enthralled by the game.

But her reaction was full of grace.

In Becker's book, Character Matters: And Other Life Lessons from George H. W. Bush, she features a number of political heavy hitters including President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, former Vice President Dan Quayle, as well as family members and White House staff.

Dorrance Smith, a member of Bush 41's White House staff, recalled the president telling her he had an idea.

'We should take the Queen to an Orioles baseball game! It's our national pastime, and I want to take her to Camden Yards,' she remembered Bush telling her.

[hanamizu]

oh..just spectacular..dont ya just love 1-0 games.

---

Depends. Sandy Koufax’s perfect game was 1-0. The Cub’s pitcher only allowed one hit, which had nothing to do with the Dodger’s winning run. I listened to it on the radio hanging on every word from Vin Scully. Not much appeared to happen, but it was an exciting game to listen to.

[JohnBovenmyer]

In Bush’s defense (which feels odd to write) we should remember than he wasn’t just a fan of baseball, but a pretty good player of it back in his college days. He likely had enough enthusiasm for both of them. And Camden Yards, back then, was deemed a model ballpark. At least he didn’t keep her beyond two innings.

[Rockingham]

Usually, such visits are planned and approved in detail by representatives of both the host and the visitor. My guess is that the Queen may have been led to believe that baseball would have more interest for her than it did.

[A strike]

stones/glass houses

how many zillion soccer games 0-0 after 90 minutes?

[SunkenCiv]

• A unique look at the presidency and life of George H.W. Bush from someone who knew him best [04/29/2024]

[basalt]

i strictly mean’t soccer games..Koufax pitching a 1-0 game was like watching Cezanne paint...

[alternatives?]

Is this book being published now to show how polished Bush was relative to Trump?

[A strike]

Vin Scully GOAT! Don't remember whether listening to it or watching on our BW tv

[Paal Gulli]

Much ado about nothing. Exactly how many cricket matches did QEII sit through in their entirety?

[Dixie Yooper]

That must have been awkward

not as awkward as telling President-Elect Reagan that the RNC had already made the choice on who his running mate was gong to be.

[Vigilanteman]

How many minutes or hours go by in the "English game" of football before someone scores on average?

I'll bet it is a lot longer than the 40 minutes or so that it takes to complete two innings.

[scrabblehack]

As I recall the Chicago Bears had a game in England. Walter Payton wanted to have tea with the Queen. I want to say he got his wish but I don’t recall for certain.

[A strike]

and Jerry Doggett,
Dodger radio; 640 KFI, 50,000 watts, Earle C. Anthony incorporated.

[Republican Wildcat]

not as awkward as telling President-Elect Reagan that the RNC had already made the choice on who his running mate was gong to be.

That's not even possible as the running mate has to be chosen and elected with the President.

[hanamizu]

How many minutes or hours go by in the “English game” of football before someone scores on average?

---

On the other hand, the English game of rugby I find quite entertaining and usually high-scoring.

Now there is a low-scoring English football game, Shrovetide Football. Hundreds on each side. a lasting pretty much all day with the goals miles apart. Killing opponents is against the current rules.

[packrat35]

You should check out this Italian game. The players are allowed to punch and kick each other. Its a real trip. Watched some video on youtube and it can get brutal.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcio_storico_fiorentino#:~:text=Calcio%20storico%20fiorentino%20(also%20known,Piazza%20Santa%20Croce%20in%20Florence.

[dfwgator]

[packrat35]

Shots from a small cannon or colubrine announces the beginning of the event. The game starts when the pallaio[clarification needed] throws and kicks the ball toward the center line, then at the first whistle as the ball first rests on field, 15 forwards or corridori, begin fighting in a wild mixed martial arts match- punching, kicking, tripping, hacking, tackling, and wrestling with each other in an effort designed to tire opponents’ defenses, but which often descends into an all-out brawl. They try to pin and force into submission as many players possible. Once there are enough incapacitated players, the other teammates come and swoop up the ball and head to the goal.

From this moment on, the players try by any means necessary to get the ball into the opponents’ goal, also called “caccia”. The teams change sides with every caccia or goal scored. It is important to shoot with precision, because every time a player throws or kicks the ball above the net, the opposing team is awarded with a half caccia. The game ends after 50 minutes and the team which scored the most cacce wins.

[dfwgator]

Being a good Cricket batter takes more skill than a baseball hitter.

You literally have to go at least 2 hours without making a mistake to get a “Century” (100 Runs).

And if you get hit by the ball? Too damn bad, you’re out if it’s “Leg Before Wicket”.

[dfwgator]

I heard she was a pretty nice girl.