Former President George W. Bush throws the ceremonial first pitch for the Japan Series professional baseball match between the Yomiuri Giants and Nippon Ham Fighters at the Tokyo Dome stadium today. Photo by Jiji Press / AFP / Getty Images)
by Mark Silva
The Giants are up in the Japan Series -- 2-1 over the Nippon Ham Fighters.
And George W. Bush, the former managing partner of the Texas Rangers (also former president of the United States), was there to toss the first ceremonial pitch for Game 3.
Bush, wearing a Yomiuri warmup jacket, took the mound today at the Tokyo Dome and pitched a dirt-bouncing ball to Giants catcher Shinnosuke Abe.
Bush watched the game in a private box with former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, whom Bush once hosted for a tour of Graceland -- the ex-PM is a big Elvis fan. Also in the box: Japanese home run king Sadaharu Oh and U.S. Ambassador John Roos.
The Giants won the game 7-4 to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, Japan's version of the World Series.
(Former President George W. Bush, pictured above, center, with U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos, left, and former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, after Bush threw out the ceremonial first pitch for Game 3 of the Japan Series (AP Photo / Kyodo News)
Comments
Oh No Mark Silva, the Prince of Darkness bounced one. Red Meat for the Marxists. The Proletariat is slowly waking up to them, so this is a timely diversion. Prince's form is mostly good, square up the left shoulder a little more, but most of all u got to get it 60 ft - 6 inches and over the plate. Unlike my GF Mariah Carey, at least he did not drill his feet.
Posted by: Django - N Exile In/Around the 30th Parallel | November 3, 2009 11:26 AM
Hey...alot of presidents and former presidents threw pitches go into the dirt, big deal...But only one- from Chicago, a supposed lifetime SOX fan, called their home..."Cominsky Field."
Hmmmm?
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | November 3, 2009 11:49 AM
No surprise. He's been an abject failure at everything he's attempted.
Posted by: Diane | November 3, 2009 1:28 PM
Paula,
I wonder if George Bush is going to try some sushi while he's over there in Japan. If he does, I hope he doesn't get sick and throw up all over himself like his daddy did.
Posted by: Doug R. | November 3, 2009 4:07 PM
I wonder if two translators were used:
Bushisms to English, then English to Japanese and back.
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | November 3, 2009 4:21 PM
Doug,
Fine point: Bush 41 puked on the Japanese PM, thus ushering in the Bush style of diplomacy (puke first, ask later). Of course, one could count grandad Preston's stealing of the skull of Geronimo for Yale's Skull & Bones as the start (class act, no pun intended).
Here we see the scene (later reenacted on SNL, but the original is funnier) and note Barbara reacts by trying to kill 41 with an overdose of ether:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnOnDatqENo
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | November 3, 2009 7:34 PM
Bush is what, 62? In the past when he's thrown the first pitch, he got it there on the fly. But at least he would know the Sox play in U.S. Cellular Field, formerly known as Comiskey Park. And not call it ComiNsky Field.
Posted by: John D, still right, as usual | November 3, 2009 7:37 PM
Does Mr. Break All The Rules Bush still want to be baseball commissioner?
Posted by: Vivian | November 3, 2009 8:30 PM