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 ...
Too bad bowling isn’t as popular as it used to be, or that 37 would be the percentage of votes Puff Barry would get in the general election.
Somebody needs to post that photo of Kerry throwing a football like a girl.
Right on. Right on. Some won't understand how blessed we have been under the leadership of GW until after he is gone. Even then, some may never understand. God has been most gracious unto us.
I totally agree!
Sigh! How our finest institutions have deteriorated since these two men were in college.
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