Republicans Whip Democrats, in Baseball (photos)
By • August 1, 2022 0 4456
The GOP took the Dems to the cleaners in the Congressional Baseball Game for charity at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on July 28, winning 10-0 behind the efforts of Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) who pitched five shutout innings.
The Congressional Game to benefit local charities began as a casual event among colleagues in 1909, then repeating every summer with just a few interruptions for the Great Depression, World War II and Covid. This year’s affair brought in more than $1.7 million to benefit organizations like the Washington Literary Center, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington and the Capitol Police Memorial Fund.
Second gentleman Doug Emhoff yelled “Play ball!” before Roberto Clemente Jr., the son of the Hall of Famer, threw out the first pitch.
Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) drew applause before taking his turn at bat as the first batter. Scalise, who used a designated runner, was shot in the hip and severely hurt during a practice for the 2017 game.
The victory was the second in succession for the GOP, but only their third since 2009. The Republicans prevailed a year ago in a 13-12 nail-biter. This year’s contest boasted none of the drama with the Republicans sprinting out to a 3-0 lead after the first inning and never looking back. The game was interrupted by rain for 30 minutes in the 4th inning with the Republicans leading 4-0. The Democrats threatened with the bases loaded and none out in the 6th inning but reliever Rep. August Pfluger (R-Tex.) managed to pitch out of the jam with a pair of strike-outs.
The Democrats this year continued to wear the uniforms of professional baseball teams or college baseball teams in their congressional district or home state. For the second straight year, the Republican members wore uniform jerseys in Republican red.
Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) started on the mound for the Democrats. With this win, the Republicans now lead the series with 44 wins to 42 for the Democrats.
Security was heightened due to an expected protest by climate activists who unfurled several banners in the left field bleachers. A few demonstrators were reportedly arrested after blocking one of the park entrances.
View a slideshow of Jeff Malet’s photos from the game by clicking on any of the photo icons below.
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- Winning pitcher Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) pitched 5 scoreless innings. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Roberto Clemente Jr. throws out first pitch with son Roberto Clemente III. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- The game was interrupted due to a sudden rain storm for 30 minutes in the 4th inning with the Republicans leading 4-0. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Veteran Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-Colo.) who will resign from Congress prepares for his final Congressional Game. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.) poses with his family with game sponsor Purina Pet Food mascot Lt. Barker. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Fans of Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) gather before the game. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Fans of Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas) who is retiring from Congress. This will be his 25th game. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) before taking his turn at bat as the first batter. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) drew an ovation batting first for the GOP. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Senator Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) at third base and Rep. Tom Malinowski (D_NJ) at short. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn.) avoids a tag from from Rep. Tom Malinowski while advancing on a ground ball in the first inning. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn.) avoids a tag from from Rep. Tom Malinowski while advancing on a ground ball in the first inning. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Rep. Kevin Brady plays his 25th and final Congressional Game. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Rep. Kat Cammack (R-Fla.), makes a mad dash for home in the first inning where she will be tagged out. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Catcher Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) tags Rep. Kat Cammack (R-Fla.) out at home plate in the first inning. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Senator Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) at bat. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) plays in his final game. He was defeated in a primary. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Rep. Jimmy Panetta (Calif.) covers right field for the Dems. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- The game started with Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) on the pitcher’s mound.
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- Rep. Raul Ruiz playing 2nd base. (D-Calif.) Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- August Pfluger (R-Texas) Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-NJ) at short. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas) makes a throw from third base. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Rep. Bl;ake Moore (R-Utah) Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn.) is caught stealing third. Senator John Ossoff (D-Ga.) applies the tag. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Winning pitcher Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) pitched 5 scoreless innings. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Tom Malinowski at bat. (NJ)
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- Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas) catches a pop fly at third base. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-NJ)
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- Climate activists demonstrate in left field.
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- Senator Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) tries to stretch a double into s triplr but will be thorwn out in the 4th inning. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Rep. August Pfluger tags out Sen. Jon Ossoff at third base. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- The Republican dugout celebrates as relief pitcher Rep. August Pfluger (R-Tex.) gets out of a bases loaded jam in the 6th inning.
