ARLINGTON, Texas — While former President George W. Bush hasn’t had a professional stake in the team in years, he congratulated the Texas Rangers after their 5-0 win Wednesday night sealed their World Series championship.
“As a Texas Rangers fan, I am thrilled for Texas Rangers fans tonight. I congratulate the owners, the managers and coaching staff, the front office, and the entire organization. And of course, I congratulate the players of this awesome team on winning the first World Series in our club's history. This was baseball at its finest, and Laura and I are proud of this team,” Bush wrote.
The 43rd president’s connection to the team is strong. He had a stake in the team 1989-1994. He owned 2 percent of the franchise and became the team’s managing general partner. He was the face of the ownership group.
Bush gave up the managing partner role when he became the governor of Texas in 1994. A few years later, he sold his stake before being elected president.
Bush threw out the first pitch during the World Series opening in Arlington last Friday.
Bush was U.S. president from 2001-09 and threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 3 of the 2001 World Series at Yankee Stadium between New York and Arizona.
Bush threw out ceremonial first pitches with his father, former President George H.W. Bush, before Game 4 of the 2010 World Series in Texas and before Game 5 of the 2017 World Series in Houston.