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But there are more B-words than just those around this week like…

Baseball is dripping with tradition - and the game's opening day is positively drenched in it. One of the most important is a United States President throwing out the first pitch. On April 14, 1910, William Howard Taft became the first President to start a season. Every sitting U.S. President has done the same ever since. In 1950 Harry Truman put on the best show when he threw out two ceremonial first pitches with both his right and left arm.

So you would think that a President, who once owned a baseball team, would be chomping at the bit to be there in the front row when his local team, the Washington Nationals, took on the Florida Marlins Monday.

Not this President. George Bush was too busy. It was the second year in a row for him skipping opening day. The only two presidents to do take off two years in a row were Woodrow Wilson, who couldn't throw due to a stroke and Richard Nixon because of a certain controversy over a small burglary at a local Washington hotel.

Bush's people told the Washington Post that the President had been invited by the Nationals to throw out the first ball but it was "not possible with his schedule."

What was on his schedule that he couldn't go to a game at a stadium three miles (I checked on the Google) from the White House?

According to the Post, the only appointment he had in the afternoon was the presentation of the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy to the United States Naval Academy Football Team in the Rose Garden.

Once upon a time a president said, "I love the game of baseball. I grew up loving baseball. One of the traditions, of course, is for the president to throw out the opening pitch for baseball."

That was Bush 43 himself just three years ago. However three years ago Bush didn't face another B-word when he took the mound.

He didn't get booed.

With almost 70% of his own citizens disapproving of the way he was doing his job, the Commander in Chief was afraid of facing the same music his second-in-command, Dick Cheney, suffered through when he filled in for him last year. Instead Bush cut and ran from one of his self-admitted favorite responsibilities.

Speaking of B-words, that's not exactly what I would describe as "brave."

Then there is "Bud 'Not so Lite in the Wallet' Selig"…

The game is enjoying a fine period of labor peace these days. In December the players union and the league enacted a new contract so quietly the press almost missed it. In previous negotiations the tactic used most often by both sides was to collectively bargain in the press. You could barely see Bud's or the player's union chief, Don Fehr's face through the sea of microphones crammed into their oral cavities.

Now the reason why it was done on the hush-hush has become pretty clear - and that is the game is clearly flush with cash.

The Commissioner of Baseball earned $14.5 million in 2006 according to Major League Baseball's tax return, which was obtained by the Sports Business Journal. That would place Bud tied for 15th amongst the games highest paid players with Houston's Lance Berkman. That means baseball's boss earned more than the likes of Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, Vladimir Guerrero and Bobby Abreu.

It's hard for the owners to cry poor when they are paying a guy like Bud Selig more than Albert Pujols.

…and finally there is Barry.

The Bonds watch commenced for real Monday as the San Francisco Giant (head) is 22 home runs shy of hank Aaron's record. It's a good thing you only have to trot around the bases after a home run; otherwise Barry would never make it. Opening day demonstrated one thing for sure. Barry may still be able to hit the long ball but his 42-year old legs are just about shot.

After hitting a squib single to get on base, he shocked everyone in the stadium - especially catcher Josh Bard - by actually steeling second, the 510th stolen base of his career, and first since last July. From there his showing that he can still play a little small ball was over. Reaching third on an error, he chugged on home on his recently surgically repaired knee. Unfortunately Bard was holding the ball when he was half way there and tagged him out in an embarrassing end to the inning.

Perhaps Bonds thought he would try it old school this season, but after that display, most likely he will once again be swinging for the fences full-time. And sooner than later perhaps baseball's greatest record will belong to the ultimate B-word guy, Barry Bonds.

Bats, balls, bases, Bush, Bud and Barry.

Baseball is back.

Batter-up.

Cheers - Gavin McDougald - AKA Couch