Deadspin
The mainland Major League Baseball season kicks off Sunday night, with the Nationals opening their new stadium. President Bush is slated to throw out the first pitch. Usually, he throws it to the home team's starting catcher. Unfortunately for him, this year the home team starting catcher is all over the Mitchell Report.
So, as it turns out, the Nationals have removed Paul LoDuca from his duties, which was a surprise to him, and MLB.com. Poor guy, sure.
The White House said it played no role in determining who would catch the pitch. "Whatever the decision the Nationals make is up to them," White House spokesman Tony Fratto said by telephone Thursday. "In no way did we, or would we, raise any issues."
Lo Duca said after Thursday's final Grapefruit League game that he had no animosity about the situation. Lo Duca declined to speculate as to whether his role in the Mitchell report had anything to do with the decision.
By the way, boy, do we ever love that picture.
Nationals Replace LoDuca To Catch Bush's First Pitch [Think Progress]
Comments
INVISABAL BOUNSING BETTIE LAND MIN!
so, do you "pitch" or "catch"?
I'm not going near this one.
Funny how life is - one day you're pitching as a Cardinal, the next you're a lame duck.
Lo Duca didn't get the message that wouldn't be catching the opening pitch.
His phone is toast.
I wonder how bush will fuck this up..
he's actually got a pretty good arm for an old dude...
It has nothing to do with Lo Duca love of teenage girls, right?
@SonofSpurrier: Somebody should tell him Bin Laden is hiding inside the pitcher's mound.
Somehow Curt Schilling is involved.
Mark Mulder is looking pretty sharp this year.
Nice ... uh, boots/shoes? Are those Docs?
Ha. Paul LoDuca is the Scotter Libby of major league baseball.
@Clare: + 1
Is this real life or the plot of the next Lil' Bush episode?
Look Will, if you guys don't need him anymore, we could use the bullpen help in Detroit
Bush should through it to a more responsible National, like Elijah Dukes.
Must...resist...urge...to punch laptop......
I will be at this game. I'll be the obnoxious drunk yelling BOO-URNS! BOO-URNS!
First thing that came to mind when seeing that picture: that Jeter/Bush/ 9/11 story about throwing from the rubber and not bouncing it.
Meanwhile, in Tampa:
Placed OF Rocco Baldelli on the 60-day disabled list (Mitochondrial disorder).
I already knew about that, but it just looks weird, and sad.
@Sir Hotbod Handsomeface: It's great to see it took the brilliant writers of Lil Bush 7 years to make the cartoon.
I guess they thought their Monica Lewinsky sitcom was a little outdated.
And he'll still throw more pitches than Mike Hampton.
@Secret Identity: Don't worry, my friend. If Cory Lidle can get activated from the disabled list, so can Rocco Baldelli.
@gunga galunga gunga - gunga galunga: BOOO-OOSH! BOOO-OOSH!
From yesterday, I got the impression Bush only threw rock.
@Farneyismycopilot: I'm betting Ecco.
Unfortunately for him, this year the home team starting catcher is all over a bunch of 14-year-olds.
They could try throwing it to Wily Mo Pena, but history says he would probably just run in a circle around it before letting it land 5 feet behind him...
Jose Canseco is denying that George Bush was at his party.
I can hear Berman now calling next year's Opening Day game when President Obama throws out the first pitch to Brian 'Yes We' McCann.
Because W's biggest image problem is a tangential association with Paul LoDuca...
@Secret Identity: Mitochondrial Disorder? Nice to see him in midseason form.
At what point do we start the countdown to severe menstrual cramps forcing Rocco into early retirement?
comment redacted
I'm guessing the Nats are going with the big "W" on their caps for opening day this year.
two seamer
Do we really need a bad seed like this potentially causing Dmitri Young to relapse?
@Clare: +1. I just wish you had put that on old school Dodger Stadium stationary.
Bush shouldn't throw the first ball, Mark Russell should. That guy is a hoot! Did you hear how he changed Lola to FEMA? Put a motherfucking tent on that circus Mark, I am losing my mind!!!!!!
"BALK!"
/Supreme Court
Paul Lo Duca was in the Mitchell Report with Roger Clemens
Roger Clemens has thrown over 4,000 strikeouts
Over 4,000 American soldiers were killed in a war started by... GEORGE W. BUSH
YOU CAN'T AVOID THE MITCHELL REPORT CONNECTION, DUBYA!
@1980 David Bowie From The Music Video Ashes To Ashes: Was Joe Kennedy driving a Lincoln before he died?
(too soon?)
@Stev D: But how will they roll his piano all the way out to the pitchers mound?
If Elijah Dukes were catching the pitch, he'd probably think Bush was trying to start shit with him. The Secret Service would have to take out Dukes after he tells the President "You dead, dawg."
Pitch you stupid fucking monkey, pitch!
@A Pimp Named DaveR: Not too soon.
W could probably actually make the Cardinals pitching staff this year.
Is that a pitching rubber or just a giant line of coke?
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