Only in the pages of Roll Call would you ever see such a headline. What's it all about? It turns out that tonight is the 49th annual Roll Call Congressional Baseball Game, to be played at Nationals Park. The Democrats beat the Republicans in 2009, snapping an eight-game losing streak.
The story appearing under the above headline analyzes the November 2010 elections and their likely impact on Congressional baseball. According to Roll Call, the Democrats' long-term baseball fortunes may rest on the electoral fates of two Ohioans from highly competitive districts: John Boccieri of Ohio's 16th Congessional district and Steve Driehaus of Ohio's 1st.
Boccieri, who is listed as a catcher/pitcher, bats right, throws right, and, according to Roll Call, votes "switch," unlike most of his teammates, who are lefties. Driehaus, also a switch-voter, is that rare second baseman who bats right and throws left, which would seem to make for an awfully awkward pivot on the double-play.
The Republican team will be led by Joe Barton of Texas, recently famous for his apology to BP CEO Tony Hayward. In terms of voting behavior, the GOP lineup leans strongly to the right.
The bipartisan Washington Buckeye will maintain a scrupulous neutrality, of course, though he finds it hard not to root for the switch-voters on both teams.
June 30, 2010, Update: Democrats win, 13-5.
Mallory, Kelly F., and I went to the game. It was fun!
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