布什参加白宫棒球运动讲话(2008-06-30)

THE PRESIDENT: Menudo, thank you. Yes, we're glad you're here. Opening Day 2008, tee ball on the South Lawn. (Applause.) I'm proud to be joined by the Commissioner¹ for the day, Roberto Clemente, Jr. Bienvenido. (Applause.)

MR. CLEMENTE: Gracias.

THE PRESIDENT: Si. Roberto, I don't know if you know this or not, but we've got a special right field porch this year. This is an addition -- we might just call that Clemente Porch. After all, we did retire your dad's number this year.

I'm so proud to welcome from Manati, Puerto Rico, the Little Angels. (Applause.) We're glad you're here. And from Camden, New Jersey², the mighty³ Red Sox. (Applause.) First base coach, Jose Rijo. (Applause.) He could deliver that fast ball in the best of times. Now with the Washington Nationals. Third base coach, Carlos Gutierrez, Secretary of Commerce. Carlos, glad you're here. (Applause.) Congressman⁴ Rob Andrews -- Congressman, thanks for coming. We're sure proud you're here.

Today we're very lucky to have our game called by Natalie Morales. Natalie, bienvenido. Thank you for coming.

MS. MORALES: Gracias.

THE PRESIDENT: Natalie happens to work for NBC's Today Show. We really appreciate you coming.

MS. MORALES: Thank you, sir, for having me.

THE PRESIDENT: No problem.

Boy Scout⁵ Troop 457 from Rockville, Maryland, is with us today. Thanks for coming. (Applause.) Steve Keener, President of Little League America -- we're glad you're here, Steve. Thanks for coming back. Appreciate you supporting baseball throughout America.

Laura and I are thrilled also to be joined today by our first pitch kind of semi-thrower-outers. (Laughter.) Angel Macias is with us. For those of you who follow Little League Baseball, you might remember, in 1957 -- es verdad?

MR. MACIAS: Right.

THE PRESIDENT: Si. He threw a perfect game for Monterrey, Mexico, in the Little League World Series, and Mexico went on to win the World Series. And we're so glad you're here. Welcome to the White House.

And standing⁶ with you is Jake T. Austin, who happens -- who's going to be playing Angel in the movie --

JAKE AUSTIN: Yes, I play Angel Macias in the movie.

THE PRESIDENT: And what's the movie?

JAKE AUSTIN: The movie is called, "The Perfect Game," and it's coming out in 2008, this year.

THE PRESIDENT: -- 2008, yes. You probably recommend we all go see it.

JAKE AUSTIN: We'd really appreciate it. (Laughter.)

THE PRESIDENT: Yes. Well, Laura was suggesting, Jake T., that we actually have a showing here at the White House.

JAKE AUSTIN: Great.

THE PRESIDENT: Yes, see, he's for that.

Before we get started, I do want the players to join me in the Little League Pledge. Are you ready?

I trust in God. I love my country, and will respect its laws. I will play fair and strive to win. But win or lose, I will always do my best.

Play ball! (Applause.)

1 commissioner   

n.（政府厅、局、处等部门）专员，长官，委员

参考例句：

• The commissioner has issued a warrant for her arrest.专员发出了对她的逮捕令。
• He was tapped for police commissioner.他被任命为警务处长。

2 jersey   

n.运动衫

参考例句：

• He wears a cotton jersey when he plays football.他穿运动衫踢足球。
• They were dressed alike in blue jersey and knickers.他们穿着一致，都是蓝色的运动衫和灯笼短裤。

3 mighty   

adj.强有力的；巨大的

参考例句：

• A mighty force was about to break loose.一股巨大的力量即将迸发而出。
• The mighty iceberg came into view.巨大的冰山出现在眼前。

4 Congressman   

n.（美）国会议员

参考例句：

• He related several anecdotes about his first years as a congressman.他讲述自己初任议员那几年的几则轶事。
• The congressman is meditating a reply to his critics.这位国会议员正在考虑给他的批评者一个答复。

5 scout   

n.童子军，侦察员；v.侦察，搜索

参考例句：

• He was mistaken for an enemy scout and badly wounded.他被误认为是敌人的侦察兵，受了重伤。
• The scout made a stealthy approach to the enemy position.侦察兵偷偷地靠近敌军阵地。

6 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。