President Bush threw out the first pitch today at the St. Louis Cardinals’ home opener at Busch Stadium. His pitch was a strike:
A handful of Kerry operatives showed up, but the President received a standing ovation from the crowd, and the St. Louis Post Dispatch’s account is very positive:
Wearing a Cardinals red jacket, [President Bush] threw the first ball to Cardinals catcher Mike Matheny. Before leaving the field he stopped to great such Cardinals greats as Red Schoendienst, Bob Gibson, Lou Brock, Ozzie Smith and Stan Musial.
The only unhappy people in the crowd appeared to be those in the first rows of seats whose vision was blocked by reporters and photographers gathered at the side of the field to catch the president’s every move.
“I wish the press would sit down,” said Harriet Felman, of Clayton, whose family had second row seats.
Even those who couldn’t see all the action were happy Bush was here. “It’s a great thing for St. Louis. The best fans in sports deserve it,” said Brian Evert, of Chesterfield, who was sitting in the front row but having a hard time seeing.
For the Cardinals’ organization, all the security and related headaches were worth it. “We’re so excitied to have him here,” said Marty Hendin, the team’s vice president of communications.
It must be a pleasure to get out of the Washington echo chamber.
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