The wackiest play in Monday's Rangers game had to be the pop up in foul territory by Adrian Beltre in the sixth inning. The ball drifted into the Rangers owner's box that was occupied by team president Nolan Ryan, his wife Ruth, former president George W. Bush and his wife Laura.
White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski tried to make a play for the ball, which nearly hit the ducking former president as well as Ruth Ryan. No one came up with the ball, but friendly words were exchanged between Pierzynski and the former president.
"I had Nolan Ryan and George W. Bush sitting within five feet of each other," Pierzynski said. "I told him (Bush) just 'cause he was the president doesn't mean I wouldn't jump on top of him. He and his wife got a good chuckle out of it."
The Secret Service detail might not have let Pierzynski get that close. The missed opportunity by Pierzynski proved to be costly. Beltre drew a two-out walk and then Nelson Cruz followed with two-run homer.
"Obviously I knew he was there," said Pierzynski of Bush, a frequent attendee at games. "When I saw the ball go up, I actually thought I had a chance to catch it. I was going to reach around. I needed about another foot and then I realized I almost jumped into the president's lap. It was funny."
- Anthony Andro
George Bush couldn't catch Obama, couldn't find oil in Texas when there was oil in Texas, what do you expect?
Posted by: Erik the Red Gunnarson | May 27, 2011 at 03:29 PM