Posted on 03/31/2008 8:52:52 AM PDT by RDTF
WASHINGTON - President Bush had enough to worry about — like not flubbing the first pitch in front of a crowd that might not exactly be his biggest fans anyway.
So before the game, when a couple of Atlanta Braves gave him a team jersey and suggested he wear it to throw out the first pitch at Nationals Park, Bush laughed. Uh, no thanks, guys. Might as well put on a sign that says "Boo me."
"I'm not going to give them any excuses," Bush said of the 40,000-plus people gathered for the opening of Washington's gleaming baseball stadium.
Over in the Nationals' swank clubhouse, general manager Jim Bowden told the president he expected him to throw a strike. More pressure.
"Shhh," Bush responded. "Keep expectations low."
By the time Bush emerged onto the baseball field, he had ditched the gray sports coat and popped out of the home dugout in a red Nationals jacket. He was greeted by plenty of loud jeers, but also determined cheers, as if the fans in both camps were trying to outduel each other.
The president didn't dawdle on the pitcher's mound. He quickly released the ceremonial first pitch high and to the third-base side of the plate, where Washington Nationals manager Manny Acta caught it with ease.
It wasn't surprising that Bush's pitch went high. People tend to have long memories when the ball is bounced to home plate. So Bush made time this week to hurl some practice pitches in his backyard — the South Lawn of the White House. He took some private throws just before his prime-time toss Sunday.
"I didn't want to bounce it, that's for certain," Bush later told ESPN announcers Jon Miller and Joe Morgan. "That's why I came in with high heat."
-snip-
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
I am so going to miss this man! I don’t care what any one says about him I think he will be remembered as a great President. I didn’t agree with him about immigration but Bush is a class act as is Laura and the whole family. I can only imagine what the WH will be like if either dem gets in or even McCain who is sketchy at best. Bush can look in the mirror every night and know he did a great job and kept the country safe from terror strikes in spite of the left’s efforts to undermine him at every turn.
If an American-hater like Obama CAN get elected, then the country was already broken irreparably by then. It's not what Obama will do to the country, it will be a point of proof that the country has devolved terribly already.
After 911, he threw out the first pitch at Yankees World Series Game.
Perfect strike.
I believe it was John Kerry who threw one in the dirt without much on it.
AMEN -
Yes, I agree with you, and I bristle when I hear the criticisms about him.
I think in general he was not the communicator he should have been. For example he took huge hits from the public and esp the dems with Katrina when in reality, Louisiana is coming out of this really well. Much of the credit goinog to the surplus in revenues from oil but also federal gov’t and the new govenor.
His nomination of Meirs was a blunder. The immigration thing was totally senseless, and could have handled better.
He was too compromising and conciliatory with the democrats.
BUT considering that we had 911, Iran, N. Korea, Katrina, and a highly partisan do nothing congress etc etc. He’ done a great job.
Nick
I totally agree with you. Bravo for your post!
Regarding communicator O’Reilly, Glen Beck, Sean and Rush have all said in private he is very articulate it is public speaking he had problems with but at least when he spoke it was the truth not like the Clintons! Booing him is so classless. The older I get the more I am amazed at how low class libs are down to their stupid bumper stickers! Only a lib would put a stupid b sticker on a new car and the ones I have seen are so tasteless.
Likewise.
one that cracked me up was ‘Irish for kerry’ - I pulled up next to the guy and asked him to roll his window down and said - “Haven’t you heard? Kerry isn’t Irish”. The look on his face was priceless.
The whole problem with W is that he has a great marriage. If there were some rumors about him and an, oh I don’t know . . intern maybe, then the MSM would not be so down on the rest of his administration.
I agree, the first couple has class.
You’re right. I’ve been listening to Ann Coulter’s How to Talk to a LIberal. SHe’s really right on the money. They don’t debate, they go right to the personal attacks.
I think on the whole the republicans are spineless.
When you read the bio of Lincoln, he was hated, I mean hated and in fact, if it weren’t for the soldiers voting he probably wouldn’t have been re-elected. Then the war is over, and people are complacent and content and then he’s assassinated.
The Bush presidency accomplished alot and hopefully will be more appreciated over time.
For one thing also they’ve brought class to the white house as opposed to the classless years of the Clintons.
I would crawl on my tongue to vote for McCain if Hillary is the nominee. Any freepers conservative or otherwise that votes for her, or doesn’t vote or writes in a choice simple because they hate McCain is ignorant of the realities of this world.
Perfect!! I love that they have new cars and stick Kerry/Edwards stickers so when they turn car in for new one or try to sell they have their idiot stickers on them! I love you did that! I always want to say something but with a lib they are so rabid you never know what they may do!
Obama apparently did shoot a 37 bowling. I think this might be the Michael Dukakis Tank Helmet photo-op that doomend his presidential bid.
I got away with it because he probably thought I was trying to flirt with him and it took him off guard:)
It is true and I go immediately to threats when they start this nonsense.
I am with you 100%. God Bless President Bush.
Bowling is easier than running the nation....
Very good point. And seldom made so cogently.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.