With their sixth consecutive win, Republicans have secured a baseball dynasty, at least on the congressional level.
The GOP clobbered Democrats 11-2 at Wednesday night’s Congressional Baseball Game, buoyed by bad fielding and hot base running.
Conservatives kept a steady hand on the tiller and ran the exact same starting lineup as in 2025. That lineup was a winner, as Republicans smashed the liberals that year, 13-2.
Republicans got off to a strong start in the first inning, putting a run on the board thanks to Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt’s speedy baserunning. Likewise, starting pitcher Greg Steube, R-Fla., held Democratic bats at bay through the first two innings.
Democratic starter Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania, kept good control on the mound, but a wild throw on a routine groundball in the second inning allowed the GOP to tack on two more runs. Poor fielding is a theme at this level of play and would plague the Democrats throughout the evening.
By contrast, Republicans were downright acrobatic. Schmitt made a diving catch that left him with a bloody face.
Democrats managed to outhit Republicans through three innings, but were unable to convert those hits into runs.
By the end of the fourth inning, Republicans held a 11-0 lead.
Rep. Morgan McGarvey, D-Ky., answered back with a ground-rule double in the bottom of the fourth, but was thrown out at the plate. Rep. Dave Min, D-Calif., then drove in two runs on an RBI base hit to put the libs on the board.
The ensuing innings were relatively quiet, securing a victory for the elephants.
No official betting odds were offered before Wednesday’s showdown, but Republicans were the easy favorites. The GOP has not lost a single game this decade, which is likely a reflection of their disciplined training regimen.
Their fans were similarly united. After every successful play, the conservative faithful would erupt into cheers of “U.S.A., U.S.A., U.S.A.”
Police officers watch as Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif., dives for a fly ball during the Congressional Baseball Game on Wednesday night. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Heading into the game, Democrats expressed cautious optimism for an upset.
“We’re out for blood this year,” Democratic coach Linda T. Sánchez, D-Calif., joked.
For the first time in recent memory, both Republicans and Democrats alike wore matching uniforms, Historically, the Democrats have let their players wear jerseys representing their home districts, while the GOP maintained strict sartorial discipline.
The uniformity is an aberration, however. The teams are only matching in honor of America’s 250th. Next year, Democrats will most likely return to their motley ways.
The annual charity game broke both fundraising and ticket sale records before the gates had even opened, according to organizers. In total, the event raised more than $3.2 million, a sizable jump from 2025’s record-breaking sum of $2.8 million.
Funds raised from ticket sales and donations go to Congressional Sports for Charity, a foundation which supports D.C.-area nonprofits and scholarships.
GOP pitcher Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., throws from the mound during Wednesday night’s game. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Undaunted by sweltering heat and humidity, fans and staffers filed into Nationals Park Wednesday night, with more than 32,000 tickets sold — easily outdoing the average Nationals game attendance this season of about 22,000.
The stands were jammed with politicos of every stripe, some in matching uniforms, some still in their clothes from the Hill.
Many on the Hill plan their schedules around the event, whether it’s convenient or not. Several players sit on the House Appropriations Committee, which paused a marathon fiscal 2027 Homeland Security markup Wednesday afternoon so they could make it to the game, with plans to return later that night.
“Baseball players have got to leave,” Chair Tom Cole, R-Okla., said to some grumbles in the room.
There was considerable pressure for the Democrats to notch a win this year because the Republicans could be even more formidable in 2027, with former major leaguer Mark Teixeira expected to succeed outgoing Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas.
Sánchez dismissed Teixeira’s potential impact.
“There’s going to be such a big wave in November, and the Republicans may not even have enough players to field the team,” she said. “So I’m not worried about Teixeira, because he can’t play every single position.”
Daniel Hillburn contributed to this report.
Capitol Police stay dry in the dugout during a rain storm ahead of the Congressional Baseball Game. The weather cleared up before the first pitch. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
