“They’ve been fans ever since my dad was a player in the ’80s,” Houston Astros president Reid Ryan said, earlier this week, of Barbara and George H. W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States. Barbara Bush passed away Tuesday, April 17, at the age of 92 at the Bush’s longtime home in Houston’s West Oaks area.

The son of Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan (Astros 1980-1988) was reflecting on the politically prominent family to CBS Sports‘ Houston affiliate, KHOU-TV: “Having the president be a fan of your team, whether it’s current or former, is pretty cool. We love the Bush family. Barbara comes out to the games every year and keeps score, and she’s a big Astros fan, so obviously we wish her the best and are thinking about her and praying for her.”

In a statement released by the Astros, Ryan said, “Today is a very sad day for our city and for our entire nation. As First Lady, Mrs. Bush epitomized grace, dignity, and strength. As a humanitarian, she impacted the lives of so many young people through the work of her Foundation for literacy, and more.

“As Houstonians and frequent visitors to Minute Maid Park to watch her beloved Astros, we had the great privilege of getting to know Mrs. Bush and President Bush personally. While at the ballpark, both always greeted everyone from the ticket takers to the ushers with a warm, friendly smile. On behalf of the Houston Astros, I send my heartfelt condolences to the entire Bush family, and to Mrs. Bush’s many friends and admirers.”

Thoughts and well wishes began appearing from the political and sports world immediately after the announcement of Mrs. Bush’s passing Tuesday evening.

Longtime Astros correspondent and current MLB.com reporter, Alyson Footer tweeted: “Mrs. Bush was a delightful, witty woman. Before an NLCS game between HOU and STL at (Minute Maid Park) in ‘04 I asked her if her husband, a good friend to (Cardinals manager) Tony La Russa, was rooting for the Astros. She answered, ‘If he wants to come home tonight, he will.’ She loved baseball and the Astros. RIP”

The Bushes and Texas

The Bushes, married for 73 years, have been a large part of Texas baseball history for decades. From 1985-1994, George and Barbara’s son, President George W. Bush, headed up a group that owned the Texas Rangers. Mrs. Bush threw the first pitch at a 1989 Texas Rangers game.

Mrs. Bush accompanied her husband to the mound during the 2015 American League Division Series when he threw a ceremonial first pitch to then-Astros infielder Jed Lowrie.

And since their own retirement, the senior Bushes have embraced Houston and her people and teams, appearing often at Astros and Houston Texans games, including the 2017 World Series, and making several first pitches before many Astros games. Mrs. Bush was known for faithfully keeping a scorecard, too, during Houston contests.

The Texans’ all-everything defensive star and heroic Hurricane Harvey disaster relief fund-raiser, JJ Watt, tweeted several photos of himself with Mrs. Bush, with this remembrance: “Rest In Peace Mrs. Barbara Bush. You were a beautiful light in this world and I am forever thankful for your friendship.”

One of Mrs. Bush’s last public appearances was at Game 5 of the 2017 World Series between the Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Minute Maid Park on October 29, 2017, in Houston.

Secret to Long Life

According to NPR, Mrs. Bush sent an update to the Smith College alumnae magazine for the Spring 2018 issue, telling the magazine she credited her long life to “great medical care and more operations than you would believe.”

“I’m not sure God will recognize me; I have so many new body parts!” she joked.

“I am still old and still in love with the man I married 72 years ago,” she said in her update for the Massachusetts school from which she received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree in 1989.

Literacy: Legacy

For years, Barbara Bush was a proponent of encouraging more book reading for children and adults, and fittingly, the city of Houston has recently completed the construction of the Barbara Bush Literacy Plaza.

During Mrs. Bush’s time in the White House with her husband, her Secret Service code name was “Tranquility.”

UPDATE: Mrs. Bush was joined in death by her beloved hero, November 30, 2018, at age 94.

Reid Ryan: “I was honored to know President George H.W. Bush. His love for our country and all things American made a lasting impression on me. He treated people with respect and always put family first. These are life lessons we should all emulate.”

Houston Astros Owner and Chairman Jim Crane released the following statement on the passing of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush:

“President Bush was a great American who devoted his life to serving his country. He epitomized class and dignity and was a true patriot.

“The Houston Astros had the great privilege of hosting President Bush and his wife Barbara at Astros games for many years. As loyal fans, they stuck with us through the challenging years and were there to celebrate Houston’s first World Series championship in 2017.

“Game 5 of last year’s World Series is considered the most memorable and dramatic game in Astros history. What made it even more special was that President George H.W. Bush and his son, President George W. Bush, were on the field that night taking part in the first pitch ceremony.

“As our nation mourns his passing, our entire Astros organization sends heartfelt condolences to the Bush family. We will greatly miss him.”

The US Navy tweeted: “Fair winds and following seas, Sir. We have the watch.”