Bush To Throw Out Opening Day Pitch For Cardinals

KSDK TV-St.Louis,MO ^ | Updated: 4/1/2004 12:23:54 PM

[ANDY72632]

(St. Louis-AP) -- When St. Louis Cardinals and their fans hear the opening day command of "Play Ball!" on Monday, it'll be none other than the nation's commander in chief throwing out the first pitch.

President Bush will toss the ceremonial pitch when the Cardinals open the season against the Milwaukee Brewers at Busch Stadium.

Bush announced his plans today during remarks to members of the Baseball Hall of Fame. He says it's a tradition for the president to throw out the opening pitch, and this year he's decided to do it in St. Louis.

Hall Of Famers Welcomed To The White House By Baseball Fans Bush, Cheney

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush, who will throw out the opening pitch for the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday, warmed up a little Wednesday during a White House lunch with three dozen members of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

"It's kind of like having your baseball card collection spread out in real life," joked Bush.

Seated at nine tables were the players, their wives and other White House officials, including chief of staff Andrew Card, "a long-suffering Red Sox fan," according to Bush.

"I played Little League baseball" with the Midland, Texas, Cubs and "it's where I peaked," said the president. Drawing attention to one of his guests, Bush said, "Unlike Ernie Banks, I was not known as Mr. Cub."

Bush said Vice President Dick Cheney, who was also at the lunch, would be throwing out the first pitch at Cincinnati's home opener Monday. "He suggested that they not pull out the radar gun," Bush added.

Among the White House guests were the newest Hall of Famers, Dennis Eckersley and Paul Molitor.

[ConservativeMan55]

bttt

[barker]

Missouri...Battleground and Bellweather state.

Opening day for my Royals is Monday and I seriously po'd. This will be the first opening day I've missed in several years. Usually they have a flyover by a stealth bomber from Whiteman AFB just a few miles down the road.

Heard on the radio last night that the flyover Monday will be done by AIR FORCE ONE.

[TomGuy]

Whine alert to be activated by the Dems:

Bush is just doing that because Kerry can't pitch a ball due his recent surgery.

[How long before the above whine is heard coming from the mouths of the Dems?]

[txrangerette]

You know it all, eh? Wrongo, Bub.
People like you called them the
(they thought) perjorative name
(Bushbot) to (childishly) insult
them. In reply, they took up the
rallying call, "I'm one of many
PROUD Bushbots", and kept on with
life as they wished.

A solid set of folks, all, who
have better manners than to hijack
thread topics & insult, insult,
insult!!!

I look forward to the event Mon.
eve. Should be ceremonial & fun.

[Buffettbassman]

I can't believe the Cardinals are playing baseball. Does the Pope know? I'm sure he'd be concerned.

[CARDINALRULES]

I heard the rumors about this about 2 weeks or so ago. I really, REALLY wish I had tickets, but they sold out quickly as usual.

Oh well, will have to settle for watching and listening to the game as I have in the past few years.
Doubt I could luck out and have a liberal want to get rid of their tickets....lol ;-`)

[newgeezer]

I think I heard Mike Shannon say Dubya pitched from the rubber, and threw a strike over the inside corner.

Try THAT, Jf-ingKerry.

[nkycincinnatikid]

I can't drag my wife to a ballgame , but one of her all time favorite stories is about W throwing out the first pitch at Yankee stadium in the 2001 Series. She glows when she says "And he pitched a STRIKE" It was an important confidence instilling moment for the whole nation.

[joebren]

I don't know if I, as a Mets fan whose best friend is a Cardinals fan, can vote for this man now.... It will take some healing time.