Dems extend winning streak in Congressional Baseball game

While preparing for the 54th annual Congressional Baseball Game, Rep. Lou Barletta (R-Pa.) debated trying out the Senators’ away jersey before ultimately arriving, again, in the home uniform — even though it had seen bad luck for Republicans in recent years.

“I didn’t like how the away jersey looked on me, honestly,” the admittedly suspicious Barletta said with a sheepish chuckle, “It’s all for the photo after all.”

Unfortunately for Barletta, the home jersey recorded another loss on Thursday night, and the Democrat’s winning streak increased to seven after a 5-2 blue victory under the lights of Nationals Park. In recent games, the Democrats had trounced the GOP by double digits, so this year’s score certainly signaled a better performance from the right.

With a reliable pitcher and a younger, more athletic team, Republicans promised ahead of time that they would not go down without a fight.

{mosads}The GOP’s coach, Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), said, “We’ve been in the majority in the House for six years, so we felt it was OK to let them win the game. But enough is enough. We’re going to reverse that tonight.”

As in past years, all eyes were on Congressional Baseball superstar Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.). The former Morehouse College pitcher underwent shoulder surgery in the off-season and admitted he still had not fully recovered.

Nonetheless, teammates and opponents swooned.

“He’s the best I’ve ever seen,” said the Democrats’ team manger, Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Pa).

“He’s the Babe Ruth of our game,” conceded Barton.

Presidential hopeful Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) was a bit more critical, joking, “Cedric’s getting old. He’s over 40 now. He’s on the downhill slope.”

“Cedric’s a great player and friend,” he added as an aside.

While Richmond’s injury certainly affected his speed and accuracy on the mound on Thursday, he still showcased athletic prowess by stealing bases and slugging far into the outfield.

Meanwhile, the lone congresswoman on either roster, Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.), showed once again she could play in the men’s league. At her first at bat, Sanchez sent the first pitch careening into open real estate in right field, one of four base hits for the Democrats.

After hammering away on fast-track trade and a patent litigation reform bill all day, the baseball game provided lawmakers an opportunity to come together and engage in a friendly competition for a good cause. This year, the game raked in more than $300,000 for a trio of local charities: the Washington Literacy Center, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington and the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation.

A reminder of the job that awaits the congressmen Friday came in the form of President Obama, who emerged from the Democrats’ dugout early in the 3rd inning, igniting a wave of excitement from the stadium’s spectators. Bringing with him two dozen White House brewed beers for the game’s victors, Obama used the time to chat with lawmakers on the eve of the major vote on trade policy.