President Bush congratulates Rafael Palmiero

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President Bush congratulates Rafael Palmiero

July 17, 2005 -- Rafael Palmeiro, who became the 26th player in Major League Baseball history to collect 3,000 hits, got a surprise call from the big guy in the oval office -- President Bush.

President George W. Bush has a baseball past and is well-known in the sport.

President Bush was a managing general partner of the Texas Rangers for five years, 1989-94.

Palmeiro played for the Rangers from 1989 through 1993 and got to know the President well during that time.

"It's a great honor," Palmeiro said. "I've known President Bush now for most of my career, because he owned the Rangers when I first went to Texas. We had a nice conversation, he was very proud for me to reach that milestone. We talked about me coming from Cuba and it's been a long road and he asked about my kids. He wants to see my kids. He invited us to the White House when we get back.

"It's very nice of him because with the things that are going on in the world right now, with all of the crazy stuff, for him to take time out to call me and congratulate me that means a lot to me. It's very important for me."

This was not the first time Palmeiro has talked with Bush since he has been president. Palmeiro received a call from the executive office when he hit home run No. 500 on May 11, 2003, against Cleveland.

Bush and his partners sold the Texas Rangers to Thomas Hicks for $250 million.