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Schmitt’s Diving Catch Leads GOP 11-2 Win, $3.2M Raised

6/12/2026

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Summary

Schmitt Diving Catch

Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) made a diving catch that helped the Republicans defeat the Democrats 11-2 at the Congressional Baseball Game for Charity on Wednesday night.
ESPN’s SportsCenter ranked Schmitt’s catch as the fifth-best play of the day.
The Republicans secured their sixth straight victory as more than 32,000 fans attended Nationals Park.
The game raised a record $3.2 million for charity, up from $2.8 million last year.

Summary

Teixeira Runs

A University of Virginia study found game participants are 56 % more likely to co-sponsor bipartisan bills than members linked only by state or gender.
The 2026 game supports four local charities, including the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington and the U.S. Capitol Police Memorial Fund.
Former MLB star Mark Teixeira is running for Congress in a heavily Republican Texas district and could join future GOP rosters.

Summary

McGarvey MVP

Rep. Morgan McGarvey (D) earned MVP honors after a perfect 4-for-4 night.
He wore a Bellarmine jersey and hit a ground-rule double to left.
When a TMZ reporter asked the best player, Rep. Morgan McGarvey (D) pointed to Rep. Chris Deluzio (D).
He later said he would support a proposal letting the MVP automatically pass one bill, after initially hesitating.

History

Historical Context

Congress first staged a baseball game in 1909 at Washington’s National Park, the home of the Senators, turning the sport into a Capitol tradition. The following year President William Howard Taft threw the inaugural presidential first pitch there, marking the start of a long-running ceremonial practice. The event has since become a bipartisan fundraiser linked to baseball’s civic role.

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Schmitt Diving Catch

Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) made a diving catch that helped the Republicans defeat the Democrats 11-2 at the Congressional Baseball Game for Charity on Wednesday night.
ESPN’s SportsCenter ranked Schmitt’s catch as the fifth-best play of the day.
The Republicans secured their sixth straight victory as more than 32,000 fans attended Nationals Park.
The game raised a record $3.2 million for charity, up from $2.8 million last year.

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