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World Series First Pitches for First Two Games

Originally posted on FanNation Inside The Rangers
By Matthew Postins | Last updated 10/26/23

Major League Baseball announced Thursday the ceremonial first pitches for Games 1 and 2 of the World Series between the Texas Rangers and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Globe Life Field.

Game 1, set for Friday at 7:03 p.m., will see the 43rd President of the United States of America, George W. Bush, throw out the first pitch for the fourth time in the Fall Classic. Bush lives in Dallas and before beginning his political career, he was part of the Texas Rangers ownership group from 1989-94.

Catching the first pitch in Game 1 will be former Rangers catcher Iván “Pudge” Rodríguez. Now a special assistant to the Rangers, Rodríguez is a member of both the Baseball Hall of Fame and the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame. His number is also retired by the team.

Game 2 will feature former Rangers third baseman Adrián Beltré on the mound for the first pitch. Beltré is a former four-time MLB All-Star who is a Rangers Hall of Fame and also has his number retired. Beltré is up for Hall of Fame voting for the first time in January.

Catching his pitch will be Ferguson Jenkins, who pitched for the Rangers in the 1970s and 1980s. He is a member of both the Baseball Hall of Fame and the Rangers Hall of Fame.

The Rangers are set to start Nathan Eovaldi for Game 1 opposite Arizona’s Zac Gallen.

World Series Schedule (all times CT)
Friday
Game 1 Arizona at Texas, FOX (7:03 p.m.)

Saturday
Game 2 Arizona at Texas, FOX (7:03 p.m.)

Monday
Game 3 Texas at Arizona, FOX (7:03 p.m.)

Tuesday
Game 4 Texas at Arizona, FOX (7:03 p.m.)

Wednesday
Game 5 Texas at Arizona (if necessary), FOX (7:03 p.m.)

Friday, Nov. 3
Game 6 Arizona at Texas (if necessary), FOX (7:03 p.m.)

Saturday, Nov. 4
Game 7 Arizona at Texas (if necessary), FOX (7:03 p.m.)

This article first appeared on FanNation Inside The Rangers and was syndicated with permission.

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