House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., who was shot while practicing for the Congressional Baseball Game in June, threw the first pitch before the playoff game between the Washington Nationals and Chicago Cubs at Nationals Park Friday night.
The throw from Scalise, who was wearing a Nationals jersey, was caught by Capitol Police officer David Bailey, who helped take down the gunman and was also injured during the incident.
WHAT A MOMENT. House Majority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise throwing out the first pitch for Game 1 of the NLDS. Amazing scene. pic.twitter.com/OO3p7kJsYF— Scott Abraham (@ScottABC7) October 6, 2017
Scalise was shot in the hip when the gunman opened fire on a group of Republicans practicing for the Congressional Baseball Game.
He returned to Congress for the first time last week since the incident after receiving numerous surgeries and a recovery period in which he had to relearn how to walk.
.@SteveScalise throws out first pitch at @Nationals playoff game, months after being shot at congressional ballgame practice. pic.twitter.com/KQQB1BxffY
— Jonathan Allen (@jonallendc) October 6, 2017
Scalise, who celebrated his 52nd birthday Friday, noted that he had a “memorable birthday” participating in the game.
What a memorable birthday! I threw the first pitch at tonight’s @Nationals vs. @Cubs #NLDS game! pic.twitter.com/1F7XrRGwiP
— Rep. Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) October 7, 2017
Scalise is a longtime baseball aficionado. He ordered personalized red baseball bats for colleagues who helped him run for majority whip back in 2014.
