First pitch for the Freedom Center

President George W. Bush was in town last week to throw out the first pitch during Opening Day at Great American Ball Park.

Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory threw a pitch right back at the president, one that apparently landed high-and-tight.

Mallory got to talk to the president for a few minutes during the game. Bush brought up the Underground Railroad Freedom Center, a place he visited a few years ago.

"I said it's a great place," Mallory recalled. "He said `It sure is Mayor.'"

"Then I said, `Well, they need money.'"

How much did the mayor ask for?

"$50 million," Mallory said. "It doesn't matter how much a project costs, you always ask for $50 million."

Mallory laughed, then said he didn't really ask for a specific amount.

But what of the president's reaction?

Mallory took a giant step sideways, indicating the president backed away from the pitch, considering it out of the strike zone.

"It was just like woosh," Mallory said, waiving his hand in front of his face, and revealing a blank expression afterward.