Artifacts
Congressmen Play Baseball
/tiles/non-collection/c/cbg_nyt_photos_hc.xml
The popularity of the game grew quickly, and the 1912 Congressional Baseball Game was featured in this New York Times photo spread. Then as now, players often wore uniforms of home district teams.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
1917 Congressional Baseball Game
/tiles/non-collection/c/cbg_woodrow_wilson_1917_hc.xml
In 1917, President Woodrow Wilson posed in the bleachers above both teams before the start of the game. With his moral support, Democrats celebrated a 22-21 victory over the Republicans.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
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Representatives Thomas McMillan and Clyde Kelly at Griffith Stadium
/tiles/non-collection/c/cbg_thomas_mcmillian_clyde_kelly_hc.xml
Thomas McMillan of South Carolina (right) and Clyde Kelly of Pennsylvania showcased their good sportsmanship for the cameras, during the 1926 pregame festivities. Before attending law school, McMillan played baseball professionally in the South Atlantic minor league.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
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Democratic Baseball Team
/tiles/non-collection/c/cbg_democrats_1926_hc.xml
The victorious Democrats were photographed on game day in 1926. The lineup included two future House committee chairmen and a future Supreme Court Justice. The 1926 game was the last to be played in American League Stadium. The next game, played in 1928, moved to Griffith Stadium.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
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Congressional Baseball Program
/tiles/non-collection/c/cbg_program_1932_hc.xml
Billing it as the “Political World Series,” this 1932 program predicted that the baseball game’s outcome would dictate the next election’s results. The Republicans won the game, but the Democrats retained their majority in the following Congress.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
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Charles Fletcher at Bat
/tiles/non-collection/c/cbg_fletcher_charles_1947_hc.xml
During a Republican team practice prior to the 1947 game, Charles Fletcher of California attempts a bunt, Glenn Davis of Wisconsin catches, and Harold Hagen of Minnesota umpires.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
Washington Evening StarGames Medal
/tiles/non-collection/c/cbg_baseball_medal_washington_evening_star_hc.xml
The Washington Evening Star newspaper sponsored the Congressional Baseball Game between 1946 and 1958, awarding medals such as this one to the winning team. Speaker Sam Rayburn of Texas decided to discontinue the annual game in 1958, believing that it had become too physical.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
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Wilmer Mizell Baseball Card
/tiles/non-collection/c/cbg_mizell_card_hc.xml
Future Representative Wilmer Mizell of North Carolina was known as “Vinegar Bend” during his professional baseball career, in honor of his hometown in Alabama. Mizell pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals (1952–1960), the Pittsburgh Pirates (1960–1962) and the New York Mets (1962).
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
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Congressional Baseball Ticket
/tiles/non-collection/c/cbg_05_05_1953_ seat_ 548_ 11_hc.xml
The 1953 Congressional Baseball Game was the twelfth of sixteen games held at Griffith Stadium in D.C. The Democrats won that year, and had the winning edge in this venue, taking eleven of the matches held here.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
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Florida Congressional Baseball Team
/tiles/non-collection/c/cbg_1955_spring_training_florida_hc.xml
In 1955, some lucky Members took part in a pre-game “training camp” in Florida during an April recess.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
Republican Congressional Baseball Team
/tiles/non-collection/c/cbg_gop_1972_hc.xml
Congressional Baseball teams have traditionally issued player baseball cards in the style of professional teams. Each individual player has a card, which includes information about committee assignments and districts as their statistics on the reverse. Here, the whole Republican team is featured, including Minority Leader and future President Gerald R. Ford of Michigan.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
Democratic Congressional Baseball Team
/tiles/non-collection/c/cbg_1972_democrats_hc.xml
Congressional Baseball teams have traditionally issued player cards in the style of professional teams. Each individual player has a card, which includes information about committee assignments and districts as their statistics on the reverse. Walter Fauntroy of the District of Columbia and Ronald Dellums of California were two African Americans on the Democrats’ roster in 1972. Democratic players are accompanied here by cheerleaders and Speaker Carl Albert of Oklahoma.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
Republican Baseball Team
/tiles/non-collection/c/cbg_1978_republicans_hc.xml
The winning Republicans posed for their team photo in 1978. That year, the game took place at Four Mile Run Park in Virginia for the first time. The venue would remain the same until 1995, when it moved to Prince George’s County Stadium.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
Congressional Baseball Game Program
/tiles/non-collection/c/cbg_baseball_ program_ 2001_hc.xml
2001 marked the 40th anniversary of Roll Call newspaper’s sponsorship of the annual game. The cover features Republican captain Mike Oxley of Ohio and Democrat captain Martin Sabo of Minnesota. Oxley led his team to victory this year, beginning a Republican winning streak.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
Congressional Baseball Game Program
/tiles/non-collection/c/cbg_baseball_ program_ 2005_hc.xml
After 28 seasons in Virginia and Maryland, the Congressional Baseball Game returned to Washington’s Robert F. Kennedy Stadium in 2005.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
Congressional Baseball Ticket
/tiles/non-collection/c/cbg_2007_ticket_hc.xml
The tickets for the final game played at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium featured an image of the Capitol dome. The 2007 game was the seventh Republican win in a row, bringing their streak closer to the GOP’s record eleven consecutive wins in the 1960s and 1970s.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
Foul Ball
/tiles/non-collection/c/cbg_baseball_2009_hc.xml
Foul ball hit to Congressional staffer Tuley Wright on the 3rd base side of Nationals Park at 2009 Congressional Baseball game
Gift of Tuley Wright, Collection of U.S. House of Representatives
Congressional Baseball Trophy
/tiles/non-collection/c/cbg_baseball_trophey_hc.xml
The tenth Roll Call congressional baseball trophy was presented to the Republican team in 2005, following their sweep of the best-of-five series.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives, Gift of the Honorable Michael G. Oxley
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