Former President George W. Bush is back to throw out the ceremonial first pitch in the 2023 World Series opener on Friday. According to Major League Baseball, the former Texas Rangers owner will throw the pitch right before Texas plays the Arizona Diamondbacks alongside Rangers Hall of Fame catcher Iván Rodríguez, who will be behind the plate.
Additionally, it was announced that the national anthem will be performed by Grammy award-winning artist, H.E.R.
Bush was a part of the investor group that bought the Rangers for $89 million in 1989. Despite only owning 2% of Rangers stock Bush became a general partner until November 1994, when he stepped down in preparation for becoming Texas governor.
The group had eventually sold the Rangers to Thomas Hicks in 1998. Following his presidency Bush continued to stick close with the Rangers.
Bush threw his first ceremonial pitch during his presidency at the 2001 World Series at Yankee Stadium between New York and Arizona just weeks after 9/11. Then the president wore an FDNY sweater over a bullet-proof vest while delivering the pitch to Yankees pitcher Roger Clemens.
He threw one again in 2010 alongside his father, former President George H.W. Bush, and then again in 2017 when the World Series went to Houston.
