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Thursday, June 18, 2009

Democrats break Republican winning streak in Congressional baseball game

Seldom does one go to a baseball game and hear a heckler shout, “Go back to the agriculture committee!” but Wednesday night’s 48th Annual Roll Call Congressional Baseball Game at Nationals Park was no ordinary ballgame, where Democrats broke their losing streak to win 15-10.

The first inning suggested a pitchers’ duel was shaping up, with Rep. Joe Baca, D-Calif., and Rep. John Shimkus, R-Ill., both showing strong arms. But the Dems broke it open in the second inning, scoring six runs. Though the GOP answered the call in the third, they weren’t able to keep up with the hot bats from the left side of the aisle.

Why doesn’t CSPAN air this game every year? Jeez.

Gamingboy Posted: June 18, 2009 at 09:56 AM | 31 comment(s)
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1. Dewey, Local Boy and Soupuss Posted: June 18, 2009 at 09:16 AM (#3223331)

Blah blah blah Rush Limbaugh blah blah blah right-wing lunatics blah blah blah Hillary Clinton blah health care blah blah Iraq blah blah blah blah education.

There.

2. Answer Guy Posted: June 18, 2009 at 09:19 AM (#3223336)

I imagine having a larger majority helps with having a roster of baseball talent.

I bet more Democratic Congresscritters are female which puts them at a disadvantage.

3. Bob Dernier Cri

Posted: June 18, 2009 at 09:22 AM (#3223340)

Dewey, you forgot to add allegations that the Democrats in Congress have started to use PEDs.

The only factoid that I remember about the Congressional baseball game is that when Vinegar Bend Mizell was elected to Congress (he was still pretty young and recently retired), he was allowed to play, but not to pitch.

4. Answer Guy Posted: June 18, 2009 at 09:23 AM (#3223343)

Dewey, you forgot to add allegations that the Democrats in Congress have started to use PEDs.

That could turn this into a Petco-level monster thread.

5. Eric J Posted: June 18, 2009 at 09:24 AM (#3223346)

The one thing Jim Bunning was good for!

6. Jolly Old St. Neck Wound, Marching Through Georgia

Posted: June 18, 2009 at 09:29 AM (#3223356)

Why doesn’t CSPAN air this game every year? Jeez.

Or given the one-sided nature of the past results, why hasn't FOX?

7. TerpNats Posted: June 18, 2009 at 09:36 AM (#3223364)

The Dems beat the GOP in baseball on the same night the Nats beat the Yankees. Something is weird around here, gang.

8. AndrewJ Posted: June 18, 2009 at 09:41 AM (#3223372)

Geez, the GOP is in trouble.

9. Hang down your head, Tom Foley Posted: June 18, 2009 at 09:47 AM (#3223377)

"Tonight is baseball, apple pie and motherhood," Barton said.

And today the Democrats get your mom's pie.

10. Traderdave

Posted: June 18, 2009 at 10:01 AM (#3223395)

I'm glad they play BASEBALL -- slow pitch softball is what one would expect.

11. Stevis Posted: June 18, 2009 at 10:01 AM (#3223396)

I cannot think of a game I would like to umpire less.

12. Der_K 2 Posted: June 18, 2009 at 10:17 AM (#3223413)

Why doesn’t CSPAN air this game every year? Jeez.

I'd watch.

13. Traderdave

Posted: June 18, 2009 at 10:18 AM (#3223416)

Au contraire, that game would be a blast to umpire. Arbitrary changes to the strike zone, calling close plays against your political opponents, etc. Giving em a taste of their own medicine would be a ton of fun.

14. Harveys Wallbangers

Posted: June 18, 2009 at 10:26 AM (#3223430)

Given it being Washington I would think the umpires would have to take each call to committee...............

15. Dr Love Posted: June 18, 2009 at 10:30 AM (#3223435)

Gives a whole new meaning to bringing in the lefty (or righty).

16. Swedish Chef Posted: June 18, 2009 at 10:40 AM (#3223455)

The one thing Jim Bunning was good for!

Curt Schilling is itching for this job.

17. AndrewJ Posted: June 18, 2009 at 10:44 AM (#3223463)

Did Larry Jackson play in these?

18. SOLockwood Posted: June 18, 2009 at 10:53 AM (#3223472)

Jackson was never a member of the US Congress. That was a mistake made by Bill James.All Members named Jackson

19. Craig in MN Posted: June 18, 2009 at 10:54 AM (#3223473)

Given it being Washington I would think the umpires would have to take each call to committee...............

I'd at least expect them to meet with lobbyists between innings to get their input and feedback on your decisions. That could turn lucrative.

20. Hubie Brooks (Not Really) Posted: June 18, 2009 at 10:59 AM (#3223476)

Good thing they are hard at work solving this crisis.

21. Steve Treder Posted: June 18, 2009 at 11:05 AM (#3223478)

Jackson was never a member of the US Congress. That was a mistake made by Bill James.

Yes, but Vinegar Bend Mizell was always a featured player.

22. SOLockwood Posted: June 18, 2009 at 11:09 AM (#3223481)

And John Tener was the first baseball-playing congressman.

23. Pasta-diving Jeter (jmac66) Posted: June 18, 2009 at 11:12 AM (#3223485)

here's a link to a site with the history & stats on the games

24. RollingWave Posted: June 18, 2009 at 11:16 AM (#3223490)

The umps probably couldn't tell the difference and thought they were calling a Pirates vs Natinals game.

25. hokieneer Posted: June 18, 2009 at 11:22 AM (#3223504)

Can the 3 non-republican, non-dem members play?

26. Fly is Part of the Landed Gentry Posted: June 18, 2009 at 11:28 AM (#3223509)

How could they NOT recruit the Supreme Court to ump? I mean, maybe not behind the plate, because that's actually hard and ever-so-mildly dangerous for someone who has no idea what the hell they're doing. But the bases and the outfield? Come on.

27. Fly is Part of the Landed Gentry Posted: June 18, 2009 at 11:28 AM (#3223511)

Can the 3 non-republican, non-dem members play?

They have to go to Newark and play in the Independent Congressional League.

28. Lassus Posted: June 18, 2009 at 11:44 AM (#3223533)

Winner!

29. The Yankee Clapper Posted: June 18, 2009 at 10:22 PM (#3224456)

The only factoid that I remember about the Congressional baseball game is that when Vinegar Bend Mizell was elected to Congress (he was still pretty young and recently retired), he was allowed to play, but not to pitch.

IIRC, Mizell did pitch right after being elected and was pretty dominant. After that, the Democrats refused to play if Mizell pitched and he moved to the outfield. Although only a career .111 MLB hitter, Mizell was far better than his Congressional colleagues and the Republicans won every game while he was in Congress (1969-74).

30. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: June 18, 2009 at 10:34 PM (#3224477)

If only the Pirates had that kind of lefty power on their side. It wins ballgames.

31. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: June 18, 2009 at 10:40 PM (#3224480)

I wonder whether Arlen Specter ever participated, and if he did, whether he switch hit?

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Thursday, June 18, 2009

Democrats break Republican winning streak in Congressional baseball game

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