Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise threw out the first pitch Friday night at the Major League Baseball playoffs game between the Washington Nationals and the Chicago Cubs.
The Republican leader — who was shot in June when a gunman opened fire at a baseball practice for the annual Congressional Baseball game — took the mound at Nationals Park wearing a Nationals jersey and pitched to Capitol Police officer David Bailey at game one of the National League Division Series. (RELATED: Steve Scalise Undergoing Surgery And In ‘Stable Condition’ After Being Shot, Office Says)
Bailey was injured in the shooting and was instrumental in taking down the gunman. A total of five people were injured during the incident. Scalise was shot in the hip and remained in the hospital for months.
“Our thoughts as we sit here trying to enjoy baseball are with everybody affected by everything that happened in Las Vegas,” the television announcer explained ahead of the pitch. “Speaking of being affected and bouncing back, how about Steve Scalise throwing out the first pitch….and a strike. That’s a heck of an arm there. A great throw and a great moment. A great way to start out which should be a fantastic series. Game one, Nationals and Cubs.”
“What a memorable birthday! I threw the first pitch at tonight’s @Nationals vs. @Cubs #NLDS game,” Scalise captioned a clip he shared on Twitter from the night.
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
An overhead shot of the moment showing him walking out to the mound and making the great pitch was also captured and shared on Twitter.
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