George W. Bush Remembers First Pitch After 9/11

Former President George W. Bush shared a lighthearted memory from a significant moment in his presidency. During an event at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, Texas, he recounted a conversation with New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter. This happened just weeks after the 9/11 attacks, before Bush threw a ceremonial first pitch at Yankee Stadium.

Alongside Condoleezza Rice, his national security advisor at the time, Bush described feeling immense pressure as he led the nation through a fragile period. Jeter added to the moment by joking, “Don’t bounce it, they’ll boo you.” This humor lightened the atmosphere during the World Series in October 2001. Bush shared how the audience’s chuckles mixed with the raw emotion he felt walking to the mound at Yankee Stadium.

Describing the scene, Bush said he focused on the catcher, who seemed tiny, while the ball felt heavy in his hand. He imagined the crowd’s determination, thinking, “You can knock down our buildings, but you’re not going to touch our soul.” He then delivered a pitch that crossed the plate, calling the experience both amazing and memorable.

This Friday marks 25 years since the tragic events of September 11, 2001. On that day, al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four airplanes to execute a coordinated attack against the United States. Two jets struck New York City’s Twin Towers, causing both buildings to collapse. A third plane hit the Pentagon, and the fourth crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Nearly 3,000 people, including many first responders, lost their lives in these attacks.