George W. Bush dodges ball, catcher at Rangers game
(CBS/AP) George W. Bush is still elusive. At least when it comes to flying projectiles.
In 2008, he famously dodged a shoe hurled by an Iraqi journalist.
And Monday night, he managed to avoid a foul ball at the Rangers-White Sox game.
When Chicago catcher A.J. Pierzynski reached into the stands to try to catch an Adrian Beltre popup in the sixth inning, he found himself face-to-face with the 43rd president. Pierzynski reached around the screen but couldn't make the catch - nearly ending up in Bush's lap.
The ball didn't hit anyone when it fell into the owner's box where Bush and his wife, Laura, sat with Rangers president Nolan Ryan and his wife, Ruth.
The catcher and former president shared a laugh after the near-collision.
"I had Nolan Ryan and George W. Bush sitting within five feet of each other," Pierzynski told reporters, including Anthony Andro of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "I told him just 'cause he was the president doesn't mean I wouldn't jump on top of him. He and his wife got a good chuckle out of it."
Pierzynski said he knew Bush was sitting behind the plate with Ryan.
"When I saw the ball go up, I actually thought I had a chance to catch it," Pierzynski said. "I was going to reach around. I needed about another foot and then I realized I almost jumped into the president's lap. It was funny."