A rare “out of the park home run” by Rep. Greg Steube helped the Republicans to a 13-12 win over the Democrats in what was called “one of the best games in the Congressional Baseball Game history.”
That was an absolute bomb from @RepGregSteubepic.twitter.com/EGLT7Cvkt4
— House Republicans (@HouseGOP) September 30, 2021
Steube’s historic home run at Nationals Park keyed a 2-run inning for the Republicans in a game that saw the lead change hands several times. The Florida representative was also the GOP’s starting pitcher, lasting 5 2/3 innings for the win.
Some of the highlights include Republicans Blake Moore and Anthony Gonzalez hitting consecutive inside-the-park home runs in the first inning. Democrat Jimmy Panetta connected with a pair of two-run triples and an inside-the-park home run of his own.
The game featured an appearance from President Joe Biden in the second inning. The president’s arrival caused the game to stop as he greeted each player on the field and signed baseballs in the dugout.
“We have a delay as the racing presidents…oh, that’s why we have a break, the President of the United States, not the racing presidents…President Biden is in the house.”#cbg21 #CongressionalBaseballGame pic.twitter.com/sdkvDxmF4e
— CSPAN (@cspan) September 30, 2021
Biden’s appearance came as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the Senate plans to approve legislation to fund the federal government into December.
The president was escorted onto the field by the Nationals’ Racing Presidents mascots. While the game continued, Biden had a quick chat with his ‘predecessors’ in the back of the stadium.
The pandemic canceled the 2020 game and delayed this year’s contest, so Wednesday’s tightly contested affair made for an exciting return to more than centurylong tradition.
WTOP’s George Wallace and Mitchell Miller called the game on WTOP’s sister station Federal News Network. Miller said afterward that it was “really, one of the best games in the Congressional Baseball Game history.”
Proceeds from the game went to a number of local charities.
See the whole game below.
WTOP’s José Umaña contributed to this story.
