After all of the turmoil from the other day it was awfully nice that yesterdays annual Congressional Baseball Game turned out so well. A record crowd of almost 25,000 fans packed the stadiums lower bowl and cheered, rooted and gave standing ovations for just about everything. It was like Baseball has retaken its rightful place as America's unifying sport. BTW, Dodger legend Steve Garvey was also there to lend a hand and lead a prayer on the field before the game. Per
Chuck Raasch at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
“Just here to support the guys and gals,” said Garvey, a long-time first baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“It’s our national pastime,” he added. “If anything is bipartisan, it’s baseball.”
It is expected that the amount of money raised for charity, including literacy, Boys and Girls Clubs, and Capitol Police, will be near $1 million. As a side note, the final score from the match was very lopsided. The Dems defeated the Repubs 11-2. Photos above via
Steve Garvey on his twitter.
BTW, the Dodgers six game winning was snapped yesterday afternoon. Oh well... Winning isn't everything. Below are more links to check out:
- This Day in Dodgers History: In 1961 the Dodgers signed amateur free agent Roy Gleason. He would get a cup of coffee with the Dodgers in 1963 -- recording a double in his only at-bat and getting a World Series ring. Soon thereafter he would be drafted into the Army and be sent to Vietnam. Gleason would lose his World Series ring there, and becomes the only US Combat Veteran and former Major League Baseball player to receive "Special Congressional Recognition" for being awarded a "Purple Heart", a World Series Ring, and holding a "Perfect" Lifetime Major League Batting Average. In 1963 rookie pitcher Nick Willhite shut out the Cubs, 2-0, and become the first Los Angeles pitcher for throw a shutout in his Major League debut. In 1977 the Dodgers purchased right-handed reliever and Los Angeles native Bobby Castillo from the Kansas City Royals.
- Happy Birthday, Pete Coscarart, Stan Wall & Jonathan Broxton!