Congressional Baseball Game: Difference between revisions
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Despite its appeal, the annual game occurred intermittently because of interruptions due to the [[Great Depression]], the Second World War, and intervention by the House leadership. For a while the game was held biennially, until the Washington Evening Star newspaper sponsored it annually from 1946 to 1958. Despite the sponsorship, [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|Speaker]] [[Sam Rayburn]] of [[Texas]] ended the game in 1958, saying it had become too physically straining on the members and was causing injuries. Speaker [[John William McCormack|John McCormack]] of [[Massachusetts]] revived the game in 1962 with the support of the then-new [[Capitol Hill]] newspaper ''[[Roll Call]]''. With the new sponsor, a best-of-five game trophy series was created, awarding a trophy to the team that won three of the five games. To date, 13 trophies have been awarded, ten to the Republicans and three to the Democrats.<ref name=history /> |
Despite its appeal, the annual game occurred intermittently because of interruptions due to the [[Great Depression]], the Second World War, and intervention by the House leadership. For a while the game was held biennially, until the Washington Evening Star newspaper sponsored it annually from 1946 to 1958. Despite the sponsorship, [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|Speaker]] [[Sam Rayburn]] of [[Texas]] ended the game in 1958, saying it had become too physically straining on the members and was causing injuries. Speaker [[John William McCormack|John McCormack]] of [[Massachusetts]] revived the game in 1962 with the support of the then-new [[Capitol Hill]] newspaper ''[[Roll Call]]''. With the new sponsor, a best-of-five game trophy series was created, awarding a trophy to the team that won three of the five games. To date, 13 trophies have been awarded, ten to the Republicans and three to the Democrats.<ref name=history /> |
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On June 14, 2017, during practice for that year's game, a gunman [[2017 Congressional Baseball shooting|opened fire]] on Republican members of Congress.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/multiple-people-injured-after-shooting-in-alexandria/2017/06/14/0289c768-50f6-11e7-be25-3a519335381c_story.html|title=GOP baseball shooting: Lawmaker Scalise wounded, one person in custody|last=|first=|last2=|date=|website=Washington Post|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2017-06-14}}</ref> Several people were shot, including [[House Majority Whip]] [[Steve Scalise]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/world/us-congressman-hit-in-shooting-in-washington-dc-suburb-20170614-gwrcbg.html|title=US Congressman Steve Scalise hit in shooting in Washington DC suburb|last=Tovey|first=Josephine|date=June 14 2017 - 10:27PM|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=2017-06-14|language=en-US}}</ref> |
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==Locations== |
==Locations== |
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Revision as of 15:22, 14 June 2017
 | Parts of this article (those related to how this morning someone opened fire on the Republican team while they were practicing) need to be updated. (June 2017) |
| Party | Number of Wins |
|---|---|
| Democratic | 39 |
| Republican | 42 |
| Ties | 1 |
The Congressional Baseball Game is an annual baseball game played each summer by members of the United States Congress. The game began as a casual event among colleagues in 1909 and eventually evolved into one of Washington, D.C.'s most anticipated annual pastimes, according to the House of Representatives Office of the Historian. In the game, Republicans and Democrats form separate teams and play against each other.
The game has raised millions of dollars for local charities in the District of Columbia. Spectators include crowds of congressional staffers and, occasionally, even dignitaries and presidents.[1]
History
Representative John Tener of Pennsylvania, a former professional baseball player, organized the inaugural baseball game in 1909. The Boston Daily Globe observed, "The game was brewing for weeks and the members of the house were keyed up a high pitch of enthusiasm. Deep, dark rumors were in circulation that 'ringers' would be introduced, but when they lined up at 4 o'clock the nine Republicans were stalwart, grand old party men, while the Democrats were of the pure Jeffersonian strain." The Democrats drubbed their Republican opponents, 26–16, for the first of six consecutive wins. Republicans won their first game in 1916. Due to its growing popularity, the Congressional Baseball Game was first covered via radio in 1928. The radio broadcast continued in succeeding years.[2]
Despite its appeal, the annual game occurred intermittently because of interruptions due to the Great Depression, the Second World War, and intervention by the House leadership. For a while the game was held biennially, until the Washington Evening Star newspaper sponsored it annually from 1946 to 1958. Despite the sponsorship, Speaker Sam Rayburn of Texas ended the game in 1958, saying it had become too physically straining on the members and was causing injuries. Speaker John McCormack of Massachusetts revived the game in 1962 with the support of the then-new Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call. With the new sponsor, a best-of-five game trophy series was created, awarding a trophy to the team that won three of the five games. To date, 13 trophies have been awarded, ten to the Republicans and three to the Democrats.[2]
Locations
Games were initially held at American League Park, and later Griffith Stadium in Northwest Washington, D.C. In 1962, the game was moved to the new District Stadium (later known as Robert F. Kennedy Stadium), where it remained until 1972. For the next two decades, the teams played at the Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland; one year (1977) at Langley High School in McLean, Virginia; and Four Mile Run Park in Alexandria, Virginia. From 1995 to 2004, the game was played in Prince George's Stadium in Bowie, Maryland. From 2005 to 2007, the event returned to Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium while awaiting construction of the new Washington Nationals stadium in the District of Columbia. In 2008, the game moved to the newly built Nationals Park. The game raises more than $100,000 annually for local area charities.[3]
In the late 1960s, Sears, Roebuck and Company established and sponsored a post-game reception for members of Congress and their staffs. Member attendance was very low until 1972 when the management of the event was taken over by Sears' Washington office Public Information officer, Larry Horist. He established the Most Valuable Player awards to be voted by each team and presented by the Speaker of the House and the Majority Leader of the Senate. In addition, Horist obtained photos of the players in their hometown uniforms and produced thousands of baseball cards packaged in gum wrappers. A limited number of autographed master sheets of the cards occasionally appear for sale on Internet auction sites. The cards included such personalities as Senator Eugene McCarthy (D-MN), Barry Goldwater, Jr. (R-AZ), and professional player "Vinegar Bend" Mizell (R-NC). The cards received notable publicity in the Washington Post and were accepted as part of the permanent collection of the Baseball Hall of Fame.[4]
Rosters
While the modern Congressional Baseball Game comprises both House and Senate Members, this was not always the case. From 1909 to 1949, House Members exclusively filled the rosters—although there appears to have been no prohibition against Senators. Bicameral baseball was inaugurated in 1950, when Senator Harry P. Cain of Washington joined the Republican team and Senator-elect George Smathers of Florida, a former Representative, joined the Democratic team.[5]
In a few cases, former professional baseball players were elected to Congress and had a large impact on the game. In the case of Wilmer "Vinegar Bend" Mizell of North Carolina, a former professional pitcher, the Republican team was victorious for each year that he played. Fielding a once-a-year team presented some problems for members, who often grew rusty when it came to batting. Strong pitching proved decisive in most games but, in 1963, neither team could field a pitcher. As a result, relief pitcher George Susce of the Washington Senators pitched for both teams. In 1917, Representative Jeannette Rankin of Montana tossed out the first pitch and kept score, becoming the first woman to participate in the annual event. More than 70 years later, in 1993, Representatives Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida, Maria Cantwell of Washington, and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas became the first women to break into the starting lineup.[5]
In 1971, the first African Americans joined the game. Delegate Walter E. Fauntroy of the District of Columbia and Rep. Ronald Dellums of California joined the Democratic roster. Despite Fauntroy's hitting prowess, the Democrats lost their eighth straight annual game, 7–3.[5]
In 1909, Rep. Joseph F. O'Connell of Massachusetts hit the first home run, gaining three runs for the Democrats. In the same year, Republican Rep. Edward B. Vreeland of New York was the first player to be withdrawn due to an injury. In 1957, Rep. Gerald Ford of Michigan hit the first known grand slam while playing for the Republicans.[6] In 1979, Republican Rep. Ron Paul of Texas hit the first home run over the fence. Rep. John Shimkus of Illinois is the only other player to hit an out-of-the-park home run, doing so in 1997.[7] Paul was inducted into the Congressional Baseball Hall of Fame prior to the 2012 game.[8]
Hall of Fame
The Roll Call Congressional Baseball Hall of Fame was founded in 1993.[7]
| Year | Inductee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | John Tener | Organized the first Congressional Baseball Game |
| Wilmer Mizell | ||
| William M. Wheeler | ||
| Ron Mottl | ||
| Silvio Conte | ||
| Robert H. Michel | ||
| Marty Russo | ||
| 1995 | Dave McCurdy | |
| 1996 | Mike Synar | |
| 1997 | Bill Richardson | |
| 1998 | Sid Yudain | Founder of Roll Call |
| 1999 | Dan Schaefer | |
| 2000 | Carl Pursell | |
| 2002 | Steve Largent | |
| 2003 | David Bonior | |
| 2004 | Charlie Brotman | Helped Sid Yudain revive Congressional baseball in the 1960s |
| 2006 | Martin Sabo | |
| 2007 | Mike Oxley | |
| 2008 | Lou Frey | |
| 2009 | Kenny Hulshof | |
| 2011 | Mel Watt | |
| 2012 | Ron Paul | Hit first over-the-wall home run in 1979 |
| 2013 | Zach Wamp | |
| 2014 | Bart Stupak | |
| 2015 | Skip Maraney | Pioneered Roll Call's sports coverage |
Uniforms and fanfare
In the early years of the game, each team wore a uniform that was either plain or had the words "Republicans" or "Democrats" embroidered on it. In modern games, members typically have worn uniforms of the professional baseball teams or college baseball teams in their congressional district or home state. In the 1920s, pomp and fanfare preceded each game. The United States Navy Band and United States Marine Corps Band traditionally kicked off the festivities with patriotic tunes. In 1926, the Republicans paraded into American League Field on a live elephant, while in 1932 both teams had costumed mascots entertain the crowds. During the 1960s, the teams had cheerleaders dressed in uniforms.[9]
Game results
Republicans lead the all-time series 42–39–1; however, the official website of the Congressional Baseball Game does not count three of those Republican wins.[10] Scores, locations, and other details of past games are available here to the extent they are known.[1]
| Year | Date | Location | Winner | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1909 | American League Park II | Democrats | 26–16 | ||
| 1910 | No game | – | – | ||
| 1911 | Georgetown Field | Democrats | 12–9 | ||
| 1912 | National Park | Democrats | 21–20 | ||
| 1913 | National Park | Democrats | 29–4 | Game was called due to rain in the 4th inning. Members disputed whether it counted as a full game. | |
| 1914 | National Park | Democrats | – | ||
| 1915 | National Park | Democrats | – | ||
| 1916 | National Park | Republicans | 18–13 | ||
| 1917 | National Park | Democrats | 22–21 | ||
| 1918 | National Park | Republicans | 19–5 | ||
| 1919 | National Park | Republicans | – | ||
| 1920–1925 | No information | – | – | Newspaper accounts refer to the 1926 game as the first game in years. | |
| 1926 | Griffith Stadium | Democrats | 12–9 | ||
| 1927 | No game | – | – | ||
| 1928 | Griffith Stadium | Democrats | 36–4 | ||
| 1929 | No game | – | – | ||
| 1930 | No information | – | – | Newspaper accounts refer to the game during this period as "biennial." | |
| 1931 | No game | – | – | ||
| 1932 | Griffith Stadium | Republicans | 19–5 | The official score of this game is disputed. Umpire Tunney ruled a high fly ball hit in the last inning by Republicans an out instead of a home run. | |
| 1933 | Griffith Stadium | Republicans | 18–16 | ||
| 1934–1944 | No information | – | – | In lieu of a traditional Congressional Baseball Game, ballgames between members and the press were played in 1935, 1938, 1939, and 1941. | |
| 1945 | Griffith Stadium | Democrats | – | ||
| 1946 | Griffith Stadium | Democrats | – | ||
| 1947 | Griffith Stadium | Republicans | 16–13 | ||
| 1948 | Griffith Stadium | Democrats | 23–14 | ||
| 1949 | Griffith Stadium | Democrats | 16–10 | ||
| 1950 | Griffith Stadium | Democrats | 8–4 | ||
| 1951 | Griffith Stadium | Democrats | 7–3 | ||
| 1952 | Griffith Stadium | Democrats | 6–3 | ||
| 1953 | June 5[2] | Griffith Stadium | Democrats | 3–2 | |
| 1954 | Griffith Stadium | Democrats | 2–1 | ||
| 1955 | Griffith Stadium | Republicans | 12–4 | ||
| 1956 | Griffith Stadium | Republicans | 8–7 | ||
| 1957 | Griffith Stadium | Democrats | 10–9 | ||
| 1958–1961 | No game | – | – | ||
| 1962 | D.C. Stadium | Republicans | 4–0 | ||
| 1963 | D.C. Stadium | Democrats | 11–0 | ||
| 1964 | D.C. Stadium | Republicans | 6–5 | ||
| 1965 | D.C. Stadium | Republicans | 3–1 | Roll Call Trophy[11] | |
| 1966 | D.C. Stadium | Republicans | 14–7 | ||
| 1967 | D.C. Stadium | Republicans | 9–7 | ||
| 1968 | D.C. Stadium | Republicans | 16–1 | Roll Call Trophy | |
| 1969 | RFK Stadium | Republicans | 6–2 | ||
| 1970 | RFK Stadium | Republicans | 6–4 | ||
| 1971 | RFK Stadium | Republicans | 7–3 | Roll Call Trophy | |
| 1972 | RFK Stadium | Republicans | 7–2 | ||
| 1973 | Memorial Stadium | Republicans | 12–4 | ||
| 1974 | Memorial Stadium | Republicans | 7–3 | Roll Call Trophy | |
| 1975 | Memorial Stadium | Democrats | 3–2 | ||
| 1976 | Memorial Stadium | Democrats | 5–4 | ||
| 1977 | Langley High School, McLean, Virginia | Republicans | 7–6 | A rainout forced the game to an alternative field. | |
| 1978 | Four Mile Run Park | Republicans | 4–3 | ||
| 1979 | Four Mile Run Park | Democrats | 7–3 | Roll Call Trophy | |
| 1980 | Four Mile Run Park | Democrats | 21–9 | ||
| 1981 | Four Mile Run Park | Republicans | 6–4 | ||
| 1982 | Four Mile Run Park | Democrats | 7–5 | ||
| 1983 | Four Mile Run Park | Tied | 17–17 | Called after 9 innings. | |
| 1984 | Four Mile Run Park | Republicans | 13–4 | ||
| 1985 | Four Mile Run Park | Republicans | 9–3 | Roll Call Trophy | |
| 1986 | Four Mile Run Park | Democrats | 8–6 | ||
| 1987 | Four Mile Run Park | Democrats | 15–14 | ||
| 1988 | Four Mile Run Park | Republicans | 14–13 | ||
| 1989 | Four Mile Run Park | Republicans | 8–2 | ||
| 1990 | Four Mile Run Park | Republicans | 9–6 | Roll Call Trophy | |
| 1991 | Four Mile Run Park | Democrats | 13–9 | ||
| 1992 | Four Mile Run Park | Republicans | 11–7 | ||
| 1993 | Four Mile Run Park | Democrats | 13–1 | ||
| 1994 | Four Mile Run Park | Democrats | 9–2 | Roll Call Trophy | |
| 1995 | Prince George's Stadium | Republicans | 6–0 | ||
| 1996 | Prince George's Stadium | Democrats | 16–14 | ||
| 1997 | Prince George's Stadium | Republicans | 10–9 | ||
| 1998 | Prince George's Stadium | Republicans | 4–1 | Roll Call Trophy | |
| 1999 | Prince George's Stadium | Republicans | 17–1 | ||
| 2000 | Prince George's Stadium | Democrats | 13–8 | ||
| 2001 | Prince George's Stadium | Republicans | 9–1 | ||
| 2002 | Prince George's Stadium | Republicans | 9–2 | Roll Call Trophy | |
| 2003 | Prince George's Stadium | Republicans | 5–3 | ||
| 2004 | Prince George's Stadium | Republicans | 14–7 | ||
| 2005 | RFK Stadium | Republicans | 19–10 | Roll Call Trophy | |
| 2006 | RFK Stadium | Republicans | 12–1 | ||
| 2007 | RFK Stadium | Republicans | 5–2 | ||
| 2008 | Nationals Park | Republicans | 11–10 | Roll Call Trophy | |
| 2009 | Nationals Park | Democrats | 15–10 | ||
| 2010 | June 29[12] | Nationals Park | Democrats | 13–5 | |
| 2011 | Nationals Park | Democrats | 8–2 | Roll Call Trophy | |
| 2012 | Nationals Park | Democrats | 18–5 | ||
| 2013 | Nationals Park | Democrats | 22–0 | ||
| 2014 | Nationals Park | Democrats | 15–6 | Roll Call Trophy | |
| 2015 | June 11[13] | Nationals Park | Democrats | 5–2 | |
| 2016 | June 23[14] | Nationals Park | Republicans | 8–7 | |
| 2017 | June 15[15] | Nationals Park |
References
- ^ a b "The Congressional Baseball Game: Statistics". history.house.gov. Office of the Historian, and Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved June 13, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Congressional Baseball Game: History". history.house.gov. Office of the Historian, and Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved June 13, 2013.
- ^ "Congressional Baseball Game Location". history.house.gov. Office of the Historian, and Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved June 13, 2013.
- ^ Stern, Seth (July 12, 2011). "Hall of Fame: Mel Watt Lives His Dream". Roll Call.
- ^ a b c "Congressional Baseball Game: Rosters". history.house.gov. Office of the Historian, and Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved June 13, 2013.
- ^ "Baseball Firsts & Notables". U.S. House of Representatives: History, Art, and Archives. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
- ^ a b Meyers, David (June 27, 2012). "Home Run Lands Ron Paul in Hall of Fame". Roll Call. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
- ^ Rivera, Francis (June 28, 2012). "Ron Paul inducted into Congressional Baseball Hall of Fame – in Astros garb". The Houston Chronicle.
- ^ "Congressional Baseball Game: Fanfare". history.house.gov. Office of the Historian, and Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved June 13, 2013.
- ^ "The Annual Congressional Baseball Game". Retrieved April 1, 2016.
- ^ When Roll Call newspaper assumed sponsorship of the game in 1962, a best of five game trophy series was created. Roll Call awards a trophy when a team wins 3 games of a series.
- ^ SB Nation DC, The 2010 Congressional Baseball Game, Starring Older Gentlemen In Ill-Fitting Jerseys And Pitching Miscues, June 30, 2010.
- ^ WTOP, Democrats snag series lead in Congressional Baseball Game, June 12, 2016.
- ^ Roll Call, Republicans Turn Back Democrats in Thriller, 8-7, June 23, 2016.
- ^ CNN, The Congressional baseball game is a long-running, bipartisan tradition, June 14, 2017.