President Bush played host to some youngsters for tee ball on the South Lawn of the White House on Sunday, and gave ESPN's Karl Ravech a one-on-one interview after Ravech served as the game's announcer.
A former owner of the Texas Rangers, Bush responded to a few questions about the steroids issue, saying it has "put a cloud" over the sport.
But when asked what he would do if he were commissioner, Bush didn't tackle Barry Bonds or steroids, but game times.
"They need to start the All-Star game earlier," he said. "There is a bunch of young Americans who miss it and a bunch of older guys, like me, who can barely stay awake past 9:30 p.m."
Finally, Bush got a little fuzzy on the details when he made his postseason picks.
"I think Detroit will be in the World Series," he said. "I think they'll nose out Boston.... They've got the flame-thrower Zumala back."
"Zumaya," Ravech said, correcting the president on Joel Zumaya's name. "Zumaya -- Zumala, Zumaya," Bush said. "I think they'll be pretty tough."
Trivia time
What feat did Toby Harrah and Bump Wills of the Texas Rangers manage against New York Yankees pitcher Ken Clay on Aug. 27, 1977?
Better with age
The new Wayne Gretzky Estates "No. 99" wine was being served at the VIP party backstage at the ESPYs last week.
Sam Alipour, a writer for ESPN.com, complimented the Great One.
"I gotta say, I'm really digging your wine," Alipour told him.
Gretzky, appearing confused, practically stammered, Alipour wrote.
"Well, um, yeah. She's great. She's my best friend, she's the mother of my five kids, she looks beautiful ... "
Alipour had some explaining to do, and is probably lucky Gretzky has a boxful of Lady Byng trophies.
"I actually meant your 'wine,' not your 'wife,' " Alipour said.
Finally, Gretzky laughed.
"Oh, man. That's a relief," he said. "I thought you were hitting on my wife."
They grow up fast
By the way, Paulina Gretzky, Wayne and Janet's 18-year-old daughter -- the oldest of the couple's five children -- is a singer and model whose song "Collecting Dust" was featured on MTV's "Laguna Beach."
Anything for a 'W'
Thanks to the University of Wisconsin, the kids at The Woodlands High School in the Houston suburb of the same name are looking for a new logo.
Somebody at Wisconsin thought the red, slanted "W" that The Woodlands uses was too similar to Wisconsin's prized red, slanted "W."
