Bush, the former Texas Rangers owner, told Fox Sports Network in a gametime interview that he has been a baseball fan since birth.

“I was born when my dad was in college, and he was the first baseman for the Yale Bulldogs, and mother used to take me to the games,” Bush said. “So it was like immersion from a young age.

“I’ve got the dish at home at the White House, and so, when I’m doing my work, I keep a game on. And there’s nothing better than opening day,” the president said.

But he balked when asked if he would return to baseball after leaving the White House.

“I don’t know,” Bush said skeptically. “You know, I’ve got too much to do right now. ... But you know, I think I’ll just always be a fan.”

Bush shook hands with players from both teams before they took the field. In the Reds’ clubhouse, Ken Griffey Jr. gave him a black bat, and pitcher Ken Mercker showed he was a loyal Bush supporter.

“I wanted to wear another hat but it didn’t match,” Mercker said, holding up a blue Bush-Cheney hat from his locker that said “Delivered” on the back.

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In the Cubs’ clubhouse, Bush walked in and announced, “This is the year.” He went straight to manager Dusty Baker, grabbed his hand, and turned him to the cameras. “Smile,” Bush said, shaking Baker’s hand with a broad grin. Baker did as instructed, saying, “I’ll do what I got to do.”

In San Diego, Bonds came out swinging, hitting a double on the first pitch he saw this season.

The San Francisco Giants’ slugger led off the second inning and hit a belt-high pitch from Peavy to deep center field. It bounced over the fence into the Padres’ bullpen. Bonds scored on Lance Niekro’s two-out single.

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Amid an investigation for alleged steroid use, Bonds entered the season with 708 homers, needing seven to pass Babe Ruth for second place and 48 to break Hank Aaron’s record. He’s hit 81 off the Padres.

The crowd at Petco Park booed Bonds every chance it got — during pregame introductions, when he jogged to left field in the first inning, when he caught Dave Roberts’ slicing liner for the first out, when he came to bat leading off the second and again when he scored.

BASEBALL'S OPENING DAY Quick look at the day's action   Slideshow: Top images from Opening Day Braves 16, Cubs 5: Phenom Jason Heyward homers in first at-bat Phillies 11, Nationals 1: Halladay allows 1 run in Phillies debut Cardinals 11, Reds 6: Pujols starts season with 2-homer game Mets 7, Marlins 1: Wright, Santana lead New York in opener Tigers 8, Royals 4: Kansas City bullpen blows it for Greinke Pirates 11, Dodgers 5: Garrett Jones goes deep twice off Padilla White Sox 6, Indians 0: Buehrle tosses 7 innings of 3-hit ball Rangers 5, Blue Jays 4: Shaun Marcum loses no-hitter, then game Diamondbacks 6, Padres 3: Drew leads way with inside-the-park HR Rockies 5, Brewers 3: Jimenez hits 99 to lead Colorado to win Red Sox 9, Yankees 7: Pedroia, Youkilis spark big comeback Celizic on Yankees-Red Sox: Setting stage for amazing race Hardball Talk: News and analysis from Opening Day