Former President George W. Bush and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott participated in the ceremonial first pitch at the Texas Rangers’ home opener Thursday at Globe Life Field in Arlington.
They were joined before the game by Lieutenant Reuben T. Mankin, a 21-year veteran of the Texas Department of Public Safety assigned to Company B in Hurst.
Mankin was selected to throw the honorary first pitch.
Rangers Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan walked to the mound with Mankin. Another Rangers Hall of Famer, Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez, caught the pitch.
The Texas Tenor, a three-time Emmy Award-winning group, sang the national anthem.
The Major League Baseball season in Texas officially started at 3:10 p.m. when Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom threw the first pitch to the Philadelphia Phillies’ shortstop Trea Turner.
It was a 99-mph fastball for a strike.
Texas’ starting lineup for the first game was:
1. Marcus Semien — 2B
2. Corey Seager — SS
3. Nathaniel Lowe — 1B
4. Adolis Garcia — CF
5. Josh Jung — 3B
6. Jonah Heim — C
7. Robbie Grossman — RF
8. Brad Miller — DH
9. Josh Smith — LF
Aaron Nola was the starting pitcher for the Phillies, his sixth-consecutive opening day assignment for Philadelphia.
Phillies star Bryce Harper is starting the season on the 10-day disabled list.