Better Days
Gee, the last time the Cubs were in Cincinnati, things were certainly different. Opening Day was one to remember and not just because the Cubs put up 16 runs in a win over the Reds.
We had received word several weeks in advance that President Bush would be in town to throw out the first pitch. Since WGN has been fortunate enough to have several presidents on during our telecasts (including a play-by-play stint by President Reagan in 1988), we contacted the White House to see if President Bush would be willing to join us. We were told no numerous times, including several times by the press office at the Stadium that day.
In the third inning, the President did come to the press box to talk with Cincinnati legend Marty Brennaman. There was a glass divider between our two booths and the Prez laughed as Bob and I kept waving him to come over. Bob not only spent some time with the President at the 2001 World Series, but also had dinner with him in Arizona that winter and visited the White House with the Diamondbacks.
Between innings, the door suddenly swung open and in popped the President, who as you all know is a huge baseball fan. He shook hands with everyone in the booth, wished the Cubs well for the season, declined my request to stay for an interview (3 times), then grabbed us and said "let's take a photo".
We received this picture through the Cubs before the road trip started. Regardless of your politics (and I know there will be some angry posts), meeting the leader of this country is still a great thrill.
bob v
Comments
bob
ya i bet it was a thrill,good for you!we won that game to bad he cant throw out all of are first pitches,better yet maybe he can manage are team instead of baker im sure he could do better,and he would make a lot more money....time to get on the phone jim!!!i know im kidding it would never happen but can you imagine a ex-president running the cubs.
Posted by: leo s. | June 8, 2006 7:06 PM
You are both very lucky to be able to meet and talk to the President. Plus, you got a chance to talk baseball with him, not politics.
It's nice that the President did not see the Cubs lose.
Posted by: J. SayGan | June 9, 2006 1:19 AM
What a great picture! That's one to hang on the wall.
I wonder why he was so against a quick interview though? How tough would 5 (or even 2) minutes on the air be? I know his schedule is super tight, but when he does stuff like this you know they build in extra minutes for unexpected things that pop up....lots of traffic, shaking hands, etc. Besides, there were tons more people watching the Cubs broadcast than the Reds one that day, you know it.
Hmmm....maybe facing Len and BB was scarier to him than the White House press corps! :-D
Posted by: Carrie C. | June 9, 2006 8:56 AM
George W. Bush is the Dusty Baker of the political world.
Posted by: James Miller | June 9, 2006 2:07 PM
So the Bush gets in a game....
The men and women in uniform get to dodge bullets...
hmmmmm... maybe 2-5 would've been scary. We gotta take our cubs loosing out on something....
I have a hard time stomaching this picture personally ...
Posted by: T Woodcock | June 9, 2006 6:40 PM
It seems only *one side* gets to turn EVERYTHING into a political rant instead of seeing things as they really are!
PS - I don't understand 'loosing' out on something, but perhaps that's why I don't understand an entire ideology!
Posted by: :mic | June 12, 2006 5:42 PM
He can show up to a game but can't give a 2-5 minute interview? Baseball is Apple Pie...
I can think of oh say 500,000 others who would love to be there... and would welcome an interview.
That's all i'm saying. I just don't see how him showing up to a cub game warrants attention personally.
Posted by: T Woodcock | June 14, 2006 9:11 PM
Hey guys just letting you know your doing a great job i have watched and loved them since i can remember they are the greatest,if this goes thru would you please ask cubbies hit one for pappy he passed away the yr we were taking him to c his cubbies thanks,sandy elmore
Posted by: sandy elmore | September 11, 2007 12:21 AM