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Posts Tagged ‘rangers’

Dubya will in fact throw Rangers’ first pitch

March 30th, 2009

Former president George W. Bush was invited earlier this month to throw out the Rangers’ ceremonial first pitch by owner Tom Hicks, and MLB.com is reporting that he’s accepted.

Now, we mentioned previously that Bush’s most recent first pitch went over like a lead zeppelin, but it’s doubtful he’ll receive the same poor reception in Arlington. He’s also got a bit of a four-seamer on him. His throws routinely cross the plate, much of the time for a strike - at least from a generous umpire. Most ceremonial first pitches either bounce twice before getting near the batter’s box, or rainbow like a Johnny Damon throw home, so I guess that’s something. Credit where it’s due.

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Joe Blancato ,

Q&A with Rangers manager Ron Washington

March 28th, 2009

Ron Washington: The real-life, baseball version of Morgan Freeman.

Ron Washington: The real-life, baseball version of Morgan Freeman.

MLB.com has a Q&A with Rangers skipper Ron Washington. Most of what they cover is nuts and bolts stuff, but toward the end they get into Washington’s philosophy and how he’s dealing with a young team experiencing a lot of growing pains.

It was tough from the fact that we put some young players in some tough situations as far as being able to succeed,” he said. “But the rest of it, I’m a teacher. I believe I’m a teacher. That was the situation I was put in, and I believe in my ability to teach. Everybody wants to be put in the perfect situation, but it doesn’t always happen in life. I trust the message I send is correct. It’s what’s put in front of you every morning, but it’s no tougher than anything else I’ve ever experienced in this game.”

They also talk about the future of the catchers corps, and Washington sings the praises of Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Washington also looks like he was created by God to look exactly how an old baseball player should look.

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Joe Blancato , , , ,

Dubya offered first pitch at Rangers’ first game

March 26th, 2009

Rangers owner Tom Hicks has asked former president George W. Bush to toss out the first pitch at the Rangers’ opening game on Monday, April 6, MLB.com reports. The last first pitch Bush threw was at the Nationals’ park in 2008, to a resounding chorus of boos from the majority of folks in the cheaper seats.

However, given Bush’s popularity in his home state, it may be the only place in the nation he’s likely to be cheered resoundingly.

Video from the Nats’ game:

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Joe Blancato , , , , , ,