George W Bush recalls moment with Derek Jeter before nerve-wracking pitch at Yankee Stadium after 9/11

Former President George W. Bush recounted a moment with Derek Jeter before throwing the ceremonial first pitch at Yankee Stadium shortly after the 9/11 attacks. Jeter advised Bush not to bounce the ball, anticipating the crowd’s reaction. Bush described the intense emotions he felt walking to the mound, imagining the crowd’s determination to protect their soul.

• George W. Bush shared a story about Derek Jeter’s advice before his ceremonial first pitch at Yankee Stadium weeks after 9/11.
• Jeter told Bush, “Don’t bounce it, they’ll boo you.”
• Bush recalled feeling the raw emotions in the stadium and the weight of leading the nation.
• He imagined the crowd thinking, “You can knock down our buildings, but you d— sure not going to touch our soul.”
• Bush successfully threw the ball over the plate, calling the moment “memorable.”
• The article briefly mentions the details of the 9/11 attacks and the number of casualties.