Texas Rangers Gift George W. Bush To Derek Jeter In His Final Game In Texas

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Derek Jeter is currently taking his farewell tour of the MLB as he wraps up his illustrious Hall of Fame career. While I hate the Yankees, I have nothing but the utmost respect for The Captain. He is everything that encompasses baseball, and he does it with class. How can you hate him? He plays the game the way it should be played and sends his one-nighters home with a basket full of memorabilia.

Lately, it’s become customary that when a legend is set to hang his cleats for the last time, his final season is spent gathering gifts from opposing teams prior to his final game at that stadium. So far on Jeter’s farewell tour, he has racked up gifts such as a #2 placard from Wrigley’s iconic scoreboard, second base from his final game at the Metrodome in Minnesota, a Kingdome Seat in Seattle (where Jeter made his debut in 1995), and some personalized, pinstripe, cowboy boots from the Astros. Wednesday night marked Jeter’s last game at Rangers Ballpark In Arlington (I refuse to call it Globe Life) and the Rangers presented him with quite the farewell gift. Not to be outdone by the Astros, the Rangers donated $10,000 to Jeter’s charity. The team also gave him a pair of cowboy boots and probably the most American gift ever: President George W. Bush.

The former president gave Jeter a plaque that has the famous picture of Jeter talking to Bush before Game 3 of the 2001 World Series after September 11, when Jeter told him, “Throw from the mound and don’t bounce it because they’ll boo you.” Jeter was pleasantly surprised to see Bush emerge from the dugout. Check out his reaction:

It was a pretty awesome gift from the Rangers. It’ll be hard for other teams to top giving a president as a gift. The White Sox could try it out, but it won’t have the same effect.

I mean, look at this strike Bush throws. Still gives me chills.

[via MLB]

    1. USArmy

      I’ve met him. He’s a genuine guy. I have the utmost respect for him as a person and president. I’ve got buddies who’ve met Obama and were less than impressed.

      10 years ago at 5:47 pm
  1. StarsandBars1865

    Bush looks like the type of guy that you could go to the bar with and have the night of your life. Obama, from what I’ve seen, was probably the guy that complained the whole night while he was at the bar about how he was tired and how he wanted to go home, and he ordered only appletinis. I realize this is irrelevant to Jeter, but I think it’s still worth being noted.

    10 years ago at 4:49 pm
  2. LetsGetIntOXicated

    …Wearing another team’s cap, sails higher than his approval rating, and 4 miles outside. lap.

    10 years ago at 4:49 pm
  3. JohnDalyShow

    Also, “gifting” our current president may be considered a bit inappropriate for reasons of, well, skin color.

    10 years ago at 5:30 pm
  4. Bombay Fratire

    That throw will always be seen as a strike of freedom into the face of terrorism

    10 years ago at 10:04 pm