Jeter saluted by Bush

ARLINGTON, Texas — New York Yankees superstar Derek Jeter got a surprise presidential farewell before playing his final game in Texas, when former President George W. Bush took part in a pregame ceremony.

Retired Rangers All-Stars Michael Young and Ivan Rodriguez first presented Jeter a pair of cowboy boots inscribed with the New York team logo, his name and No. 2 before Wednesday’s game. A video was then shown of Bush at Yankee Stadium before Game 3 of the 2001 World Series.

“I did have one good reason to leave Washington for a few hours. The New York Yankees had invited me to throw out the first pitch,” Bush recalled in the video. “Seven weeks after 9/11, it would send a powerful signal for the president to show up at Yankee Stadium.”

(Also on POLITICO: Bush 43 writing about Bush 41)

Bush, recounting the story from an excerpt in his 2010 book “Decision Points,” then spoke about going into an indoor batting cage to loosen his arm.

“After a few warm-up pitches, the great Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter dropped in to take some swings. We talked a little,” Bush said, adding that Jeter told him to throw from the mound, “Or else they’ll boo you. … But don’t bounce it. They’ll boo you.”

When the video was over, Bush came on the field and gave Jeter a framed signed picture of the two together in the batting cage that night.

Besides being a former president, Bush is a former owner of the Texas Rangers.

Jeter, 40, is retiring this season after a 20-year career, all as a member of the Yankees. He is a 14-time all-star who ranks in baseball’s all-time top 10 in at-bats, singles and hits....