George W. Bush is scheduled to toss out the first pitch at Nationals Park on Sunday, presumably to Nats starting catcher Paul Lo Duca.

But as Ken Herman of the the AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN points out, this friendly game of catch sets up an interesting showdown - thanks to the Mitchell Report.

Dubya, the man who’ll be on the mound, has been perceived as a vocal critic of steroid and substance abuse by baseball players. One example is noted right in the Report:

In his January 2004 State of the Union address, President George W. Bush denounced the use of steroids in elite sports and called on athletes, owners, and unions to address the issue.

And LoDuca, the man George will face 60 feet away behind home plate, is also mentioned in the Mitchell Report - 37 times, to be exact. Most of the mentions deal with a former drug-dispensing Mets clubhouse assistant, who “estimated that he engaged in six or more transactions with Lo Duca.”

Herman then sets the scene for Sunday night:

So here’s the potential opening-night visual: The president who is concerned about substance abuse in baseball winds up and throws the ceremonial pitch to a catcher linked to substance abuse. It’s all smiles and happiness as president and catcher pose for the post-pitch photo.

Posing for pictures with a man of such questionable integrity? Being seen with someone of such suspect morals? You should know better, Paul.