Democratic Roster

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• July 13, 2011, 10:09 a.m.

Rep. Joe Baca (Calif.)

Infield
Elected 1999
Home: Rialto
Hits S | Throws R | Votes L

Baca, a former semi-pro ballplayer, showcased his rubber arm last year when he pitched a complete game victory. He’s been awarded Democratic MVP honors seven times. He’ll wear No. 22 in a Los Angeles Dodgers uniform.

Rep. Tim Bishop (N.Y.)

Third Base
Elected 2002
Home: Southampton
Hits R | Throws R | Votes L

Bishop will once again roam the Hot Corner for the Democrats and hopes to recapture the hitting form that earned him offensive MVP honors in the ’09 contest. He will be wearing New York Yankees No. 1.

Rep. Bruce Braley (Iowa)

Utility
Elected 2006
Home: Waterloo
Hits R | Throws R | Votes L

In his fifth season, Braley is hoping to lead the Democrats to a threepeat victory — even if it means defying doctor’s orders (after breaking a bone in his left arm on the first day of practice). He’ll be wearing the uniform of the Upper Iowa University Peacocks.

Rep. Russ Carnahan (Mo.)

Outfield
Elected 2004
Home: St. Louis
Hits R | Throws R | Votes L

Carnahan is excited to wear the No. 3 uniform from his hometown St. Louis Cardinals.

Rep. John Carney (Del.)

Outfield
Elected 2010
Home: Wilmington
Hits R | Throws R | Votes L

Carney, a freshman right-hander, was an all-state quarterback in high school and an All-Ivy League defensive back at Dartmouth College. He’ll be wearing the Negro League uniform of Judy Johnson — a Hall of Famer who lived in Delaware.

Rep. Ben Chandler (Ky.)

Infield
Elected 2004
Home: Versailles
Hits S | Votes S | Throws R

The grandson of former Major League Baseball Commissioner “Happy” Chandler (who brought Jackie Robinson into the majors), the Congressman is a versatile player. Chandler will be wearing the No. 15 uniform of Georgetown College in Georgetown, Ky.

Rep. William Lacy Clay (Mo.)

Utility
Elected 2000
Home: St. Louis
Hits R | Throws R | Votes L

In 2008, Clay delivered a pinch-hit single that drove in a key run for the Democrats. He will be wearing a St. Louis Cardinals jersey with No. 1, in honor of the 1st district and his friend and mentor, St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith.

Rep. Mark Critz (Pa.)

Infield/Outfield
Elected 2010
Home: Johnstown
Hits R | Throws R | Votes S

Critz is making his debut in the Roll Call Congressional Baseball Game. He’ll be wearing No. 8 in the uniform of his alma mater, Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Rep. Joe Donnelly (Ind.)

Outfield/First Base
Elected 2006
Home: Granger
Hits R | Throws L | Votes S

Donnelly’s fifth year on the Democratic squad will feature him in the outfield and at first base. He will be wearing a jersey from Marian High School, which his two children attended. The baseball team finished runner-up in the Indiana Class 3-A state championship this year.

Rep. Mike Doyle (Pa.)

Manager
Elected 1994
Home: Forest Hills
Hits R | Throws R | Votes L

Doyle is entering his fifth year as manager of the Democratic team. Prior to assuming managerial duties, he was a catcher and two-time MVP. He will be wearing the uniform of his beloved Pittsburgh Pirates, No. 14.

Rep. Tim Holden (Pa.)

Third Base Coach
Elected 1992
Home: St. Clair
Hits R | Throws R | Votes S

The former MVP catcher was forced into retirement in 2007 after back surgery. He now mans the third base coaching box for the Democrats, applying his common-sense approach to legislating to the base paths. He is wearing the Reading Phillies uniform No. 24.

Rep. Jay Inslee (Wash.)

Utility
Elected 1998
Home: Bainbridge Island
Hits R | Throws R | Votes L

After helping Democrats in last year’s victory with a stellar performance as designated hitter, going 2-4 with an RBI, Inslee hopes 2011 is the year he ends his 15-year streak of not making the starting lineup.

Rep. Christopher Murphy (Conn.)

Catcher
Elected 2006
Home: Cheshire
Hits R | Throws R | Votes L

Despite a game-ending throwing error, Murphy was named the team MVP in the 2008 game. He returns for his fifth game as the team’s catcher.

Rep. Bill Owens (N.Y.)

Outfield
Elected 2009
Home: Plattsburgh
Hits R | Throws R | Votes S

Owens’ at-bat in the final inning of last year’s game sparked a late rally for the Democrats. In his second game in the series, Owens will wear No. 27 from Clarkson University in Potsdam, N.Y.

Rep. Bill Pascrell (N.J.)

Hitting Coach
Elected 1996
Home: Paterson
Hits R | Throws R | Votes L

Pascrell’s mighty bat got him on base in 12 Congressional games. Tonight, he will make his third appearance as the Democrats’ hitting and first base coach, wearing No. 26 of the Fordham University Rams.

Rep. Ed Perlmutter (Colo.)

Outfield
Elected 2006
Home: Golden
Hits R | Throws R | Votes L

When Perlmutter, a Colorado Rockies season ticket holder, isn’t at a game, he is usually coaching softball. He coached his daughters’ team and was one of the coaches for the Women’s Congressional Softball team this year. He will wear No. 7 from Pomona High School.

Rep. Jared Polis (Colo.)

Utility
Elected 2008
Home: Boulder
Hits R | Throws R | Votes L

Polis will suit up in a Colorado Rockies uniform, No. 45, but he will not have the advantage of using baseballs that have been stored in a humidor.

Rep. Cedric Richmond (La.)

Pitcher
Elected 2010
Home: New Orleans
Hits R | Throws R | Votes L

To honor his former baseball coach, Negro League player Robert Bissant (No. 26), he will wear a New Orleans Black Pelicans jersey. The initials “AH” appear on his jersey to honor former Louisiana state legislator and close friend, the late Rep. Avon Honey.

Rep. Tim Ryan (Ohio)

First Base
Elected 2002
Home: Niles
Hits R | Throws R | Votes L

Ryan, who will be wearing a Cleveland Indians jersey, is looking forward to taking a swing at any of the fast pitches the Republicans try to slide by on Thursday.

Rep. Linda Sánchez (Calif.)

DH/Second Base
Elected 2002
Home: Lakewood
Hits S | Throws R | Votes L

Sánchez was the only woman to suit up for last year’s game, and she smacked a single. This year she is wearing an Artesia High School Pioneers uniform with No. IX in honor of Title IX, the legislation that paved the way for greater equality for women’s athletics.

Rep. Adam Smith (Wash.)

DH/Shortstop
Elected 1996
Home: Tacoma
Hits L | Throws R | Votes S

Smith is playing in his 14th Congressional Baseball Game. While his favorite professional team is the Seattle Mariners, Smith will be wearing No. 9 from the University of Washington Huskies, where both he and his wife, Sara, earned degrees.

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