WASHINGTON — George H.W. Bush had a well-documented love of baseball and the Houston Astros.

And even after his death, Bush got in one last parting shot at the team’s biggest rival — the Texas Rangers.

The list of people attending Thursday’s funeral in Houston included two Astros favorites, Hall of Famers Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell. Listed next was fellow Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan, of the Astros “and other lesser teams.”

Whether it was Bush who directed someone to add the phrase, or someone else, the jab did not go unnoticed. It was first reported by the Houston Chronicle.

On the guest list for today's service for George H.W. Bush: Several former baseball players listed as Astros and members of other "lesser teams." pic.twitter.com/vXtdRcdAbH — Samantha Ketterer (@sam_kett) December 6, 2018

Ryan, a senior adviser for the Astros, served as president and co-owner of the Rangers until he joined the Astros in 2014.

Former Texas Rangers pitcher Nolan Ryan is greeted by friends following the funeral service for George H.W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States, at St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston, Thursday, December 6, 2018. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)

As a major league pitcher, he spent 13 seasons with the New York Mets and the California Angels, eight with Houston and five with the Rangers before retiring in 1993.

During his stretch with the Rangers, Ryan became good friends with George W. Bush, who had a partial ownership in the club from 1989 to 1994.

Both former presidents participated in pregame festivities before Game 5 of the 2017 World Series in Houston between the Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Astros won a 13-12 slugfest and captured the title in Game 7 in Los Angeles.

The Bushes also took the mound as the son threw out the ceremonial first pitch in Arlington before Game 4 of the 2010 World Series between the Rangers and the San Francisco Giants.

Baseball legend Babe Ruth presented the manuscript of his autobiography to Yale University in 1948. They were received by the Yale baseball team captain — George Bush (in uniform). Also present were: Bob Kiplurth, Yale athletic director; Professor James T. Babb, Yale librarian for preservation; and Mayor William Celentano and his son. (George Bush Presidential Library / MCT)

A lifelong love of the game

The elder Bush enjoyed sports in general but was passionate about baseball. After serving in World War II, he enrolled at Yale, where he was the captain of the baseball team and played first base for the 1947 and 1948 squads that played in the first two College World Series.

In his final season, Bush participated in a ceremonial photograph with Babe Ruth when the baseball legend donated the manuscript of his autobiography to the Yale library. Ruth died a couple of months after the encounter.

Boston Red Sox legend Ted Williams and Bush became lifelong friends after both were selected for the same aviation program in 1942 — one of the most dangerous training routes to earn commission as a pilot, according to Anne R. Keene, the author of a book about Williams.

The World War II veterans campaigned together in New Hampshire when Bush ran for president in 1988, and they reunited years later as fishing buddies in the Florida Keys, Keene said in a column for The Dallas Morning News.

In 1991, Bush awarded Williams the Presidential Medal of Freedom. That same year, he invited Williams and Joe DiMaggio to a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Williams' hitting .406 and DiMaggio's hitting in 56 straight games in 1941.

Texas A&M University, where Bush was laid to rest at his presidential library Thursday, paid one final tribute to the 41st president. The number 41 was mowed into the outfield at Olsen Field, where the Aggies play baseball.