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Former President George H. W. Bush could have played for the Detroit Tigers

By Kristen Bentley

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 29: Former United States president George H.W. Bush prepares to throw out a ceremonial first pitch before game five of the 2017 World Series between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Minute Maid Park on October 29, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by David J. Phillip - Pool/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 29: Former United States president George H.W. Bush prepares to throw out a ceremonial first pitch before game five of the 2017 World Series between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Minute Maid Park on October 29, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by David J. Phillip - Pool/Getty Images) /
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On Friday, November 30, the 41st President of the United States, George H. W. Bush died at the age of 94. But for the baseball world, 41 was more than just a president. He was a baseball player and a consummate fan.

Baseball fans know that his son, George W. Bush once owned the Texas Rangers. His love of the game came directly from his father, affectionately known as “41”, who played baseball in college.

The elder Bush actually played baseball for Yale University. And, during his time on the Bulldogs baseball team, he manned first base. He also played in the first two College World Series in 1947 and 1948.

According to a box score posted on the Yale Baseball website, Bush batted eighth in the lineup. In a neatly handwritten box score from 1947 in a game where Yale hosted Princeton, Bush had four at-bats, two hits, and one run. He also had seven putouts at first base.

Playing for the ’85 Tigers

The NCAA baseball finals in both 1947 and 1948 were held in Kalamazoo, Michigan at Western Michigan University. In a reflective story about Bush’s time in Michigan, both playing baseball in college and as a older adult, Jonathan Oosting with The Detroit News shared a few of 41’s experiences.

During one of the College World Series games, Jackie Jensen – then of the University of California – hit a home run off of a Yale pitcher. Bush said it was a hit “that’s still rolling in Kalamazoo.” He said this in 1984 when he was playing in a old-timer’s game in Colorado.

Also according to Oosting’s story, Bush was actually tendered a baseball contract by the Detroit Tigers. After hitting a single in the old-timer’s game in 1984, then president of the AL, Robert Brown talked the Tigers into giving Bush a one-day contract for the 1985 season for $1.

At the time of the $1 contract, Bush was the Vice President of the United States under Ronald Reagan. No one knows if the contract actually got to him, but what was certain is that he went to Game 5 of the 1984 World Series where the Tigers defeated the San Diego Padres. He sat next to George Kell (who had recently helped Bill Clinton win the gubernatorial election in Arkansas.)

How to pay respects

Baseball certainly brings people together. George H. W. Bush never played professional baseball, but his love of the game transcends any political beliefs. His official state funeral will take place on Wednesday at 11 AM Eastern and on Thursday, his body will be laid to rest at his presidential library in College Station, Texas. More information about the funeral and how to watch it can be found here.

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After retiring from politics, Bush retired to Texas where he became a fan of the Houston Astros. In 2017, he and George W. threw the first pitch in Game 5 of the 2017 World Series. Bush, Sr. then made the announcement to “Play Ball!” to begin the game. That moment capped his love affair with the game that stole his heart.

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