Rob Manfred and George W. Bush in ESPN Booth

The Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox are facing off in Williamsport, Pa. on Sunday evening for the Little League Classic and ESPN got some very big names to join them in the booth, Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred and former President George W. Bush.

It’s an interesting pairing, to say the least, and somehow, Bush might actually be the less offensive participant to many baseball fans.

Manfred has been an enemy of baseball fans for much of his time as commissioner of MLB. Whether it’s his flippant manner during the lockout, shocking rule changes that upset purists, pushing back against paying minor leaguers a liveable wage, his tone-deaf responses, or his corporate-friendly mindset, Manfred seems incapable of making himself seem palatable to MLB fans. So the idea that anyone would want to hear what he has to say in the broadcasting booth seems a bit out of touch.

Bush, meanwhile, has the luxury of seeing his reputation improve in recent years because he’s not Donald Trump, but there are also all those war crimes… But hey, he paints now so, all is forgiven?

Bush and Manfred were there to talk about Manfred’s favorite pastime, talking about “growing the game.” But MLB fans watching at home had some other thoughts upon seeing the two of them on their television during the game.

https://twitter.com/bmags94/status/1561500911347703809

https://twitter.com/ChrisDobbertean/status/1561504837455454209

[AA]

About Sean Keeley

Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Editorial Strategy Director for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.