Two polarizing figures met in Texas Wednesday night when former President George W. Bush made a surprise appearance to congratulate Derek Jeter. The Yankees captain is retiring at the end of this season and the Rangers, like every team the Yankees have visited this year, honored Jeter.
“It’s an experience,” Jeter told the New York Daily News. “That’s a gift within itself. Not too many people can say they’ve had the President come out and honor them in a ceremony. It meant a lot to me.”
During a pregame celebration, Bush gave Jeter a framed photograph of a moment from the 2001 World Series, when Jeter gave the president some advice about throwing the opening pitch. Jeter said, “Don’t bounce it; they’ll boo you.”
Game 3 of the World Series was held at Yankee Stadium just a few months after 9/11.
“I had heard he was coming to the stadium, but I didn’t know he was going on the field,” Jeter said. “That’s a pretty special feeling when you have a president come out and give you something to honor you. That’s definitely a memory I’ll have for a long time. I’ll be able to brag to a lot of different people.”
