President Bush gets -- and signs -- own baseball card

More than two years after leaving the oval office, former President (and Texas Rangers owner) George W. Bush is getting his own baseball card. And he's signing 200 of the limited-edition cards himself.

The former president, a longtime baseball fan, is joining heroes like Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson in having his face immortalized on 2½ by 3½ inch card stock.

Those hoping to score one of the Bush cards will have to try their luck. Topps will randomly insert cards from the limited edition set into the 2011 Allen & Ginter card packs.

The autographed cards picture Mr. Bush at Yankee Stadium, throwing the first pitch for Game 3 of the World Series in 2001. The company chose the moment because it helped comfort the nation in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Mr. Bush signed the cards last month in Texas in blue ink, except for 10 signed in red ink with either "U.S.A" or "#43."

The former president hasn't commented publicly on the cards, but Topps said he is an avid collector of their baseball cards and is excited to add himself to the collection.

It's not the first time the 43rd president found himself on a baseball card. He can be seen in the background of a 2007 Derek Jeter card, smiling and waving towards the batter, because of a Photoshop prank by one of the company's employees that they found too late to correct.

Topps often uses its cards to chronicle American history. They have printed cards featuring the 1969 Moon landing, the first gulf war and the Royal Wedding.