"I've looked this up, and in the 133-year history of Major League Baseball, never has a president been an owner except President Bush," Rangers owner Tom Hicks told MLB.com. "I'm glad he's home and can reconnect with this place. We thought it would be fitting to have the suite named after him."

"I was actually thinking of my time in baseball driving up here on the turnpike," Bush said. "Baseball is a great sport, and the Rangers are a great organization. Tom is a wonderful owner and has built this team up, hopefully guiding it to an American League pennant."

"I'm thrilled to accept it," Bush said. "I used to [sit in the crowd during the game], but my life changed in January 2001. I have a little less anonymity now."

I would love to see President Bush come to Fenway Park and try to take in a game from the bleachers.

Texas Rangers name owner's suite after George W. Bush originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Pitching, pitching, and more pitching. That's what teams sought most at Thursday's Major League Baseball draft at The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS)'s Wide World of Sports in Orlando. Dreams do come true, especially if you're a southpaw.

Top pick David Price of Vanderbilt, selected by the almost hometown Tampa Bay Devil Rays, is sure to quickly reap the rewards of his talents, since he is represented by Scott Boras. That would be the same Scott Boras who helped Alex Rodriguez secure the largest contract in professional sports history, the 10-year $252 million deal he signed heading into the 2001 season with the Texas Rangers. Price was one of seven lefthanders selected by baseball's 30 teams in the first round of the draft.

Overall, 17 of the 30 were hurlers. Young baseball talent isn't surrounded with the level of hoopla that goes with college players heading for the National Football League or National Basketball Association drafts. But the money will still be there for those lucky enough to hear their names Thursday. Last year's top pick, pitcher Luke Hochevar, also a Boras client, signed with the Kansas City Royals for a reported $5.3 million plus a $3.5 million bonus. Two years ago, it was shortstop Justin Upton, taken with the top pick by Arizona. The Diamondbacks finally signed him to a deal that included a $6.1 million bonus payable over five years.

David Price is sure to garner similar dollars from the moribund Devil Rays, who dream about not finishing last in the American League East.

Pitchers toss up the big bucks in annual baseball draft originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 09 Jun 2007 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.