"That (visit) is probably even a bigger honor in itself, to be able to sit and talk or maybe cheer up someone who's been defending my way of life," reliever Mike Timlin said, "laying his life on the line or her life on the line to be out there in front of an enemy's bullet. Protecting me when I'm just over here enjoying a game."
Like Bush, Timlin is from Midland, Texas. They met behind the batting cage in the early '90s when Bush was with the Rangers and Timlin was pitching for Toronto.
Timlin said he was honored to meet "one of the leaders of the free world."
"Oh man, it's awesome," Millar said. "It'll be a great time. (I'll) get a chance to put a picture up of President Bush on the wall so it'll be a blast."
Damon said he'll be well-behaved and well-dressed when he meets the President.
"I've always been a huge fan of his and also his father," Damon said.
Red Sox principal owner John Henry and general manager Theo Epstein, who both supported Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, will be there. So will team president Larry Lucchino, a friend of the president's.
Henry will also take part in a ceremony earlier in the day, during which Jackie Robinson will be posthumously awarded a Congressional gold medal.
The players' meeting with Bush is scheduled for mid-afternoon.
"His Secret Service guys might tackle some of our guys. Kevin could be in trouble," Nixon said. "He could get a warning shot fired over his head."
Damon wants Bush's autograph for his 5-year-old son.
"He knows every single president," Damon said. "His favorite, of course, is Zachary Taylor because he carried a sword. So I'm going to tell President Bush (to) start carrying a sword. He's going to have a stronger fan base."
Herodreamer79 
