Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt made ESPN’s “SportsCenter” Top 10 plays on Wednesday night with a diving catch during the 2026 Congressional Baseball Game for Charity at Nationals Park, earning the fifth-best play ranking of the day.
Schmitt tracked down a lazy fly ball floating toward the left field foul line, laid out at full extension without taking his eyes off the ball, and hauled in the catch before collapsing to the ground. He rose from the turf with his nose bleeding and threw the ball back to the infield as the crowd erupted, according to reporting from The Hill and KARK.
The Missouri Republican was one of the GOP’s standout players in a dominant performance. Republicans won the game 11-2, extending their winning streak to six straight years in the annual showdown against Democrats. Schmitt was named MVP of the game, posting on social media: “Left it all on the field. Republicans win 11-2 … Honored to be named MVP.”
The Congressional Baseball Game, a bipartisan tradition dating back to 1909, has evolved into a major charity event. The game began raising money for local charities in 2016 with the establishment of Congressional Sports for Charity, which supports organizations serving children and families in the Washington, D.C. area.
The 2026 game drew more than 32,500 fans and set a new fundraising record, bringing in $3.2 million for charity, according to organizers. Schmitt, who played baseball at Truman State University, was playing in his fourth congressional game and brought significant energy to the Republican effort.
The GOP’s six-year winning streak underscores Republican dominance in the annual matchup. Speaker Mike Johnson congratulated the team, writing on social media: “Congrats on the sixth straight win, what a team effort and amazing job raising $3.2 million for local charities!”
Sources
- KARK — Schmitt’s catch details, ESPN Top 10 ranking, final score, sixth consecutive win, MVP honor, and Truman State baseball background
- The Hill — Republicans’ 11-2 victory, sixth straight win, and Schmitt as standout player
- FOX 5 DC — Attendance figure of over 32,500 fans and record fundraising of $3.2 million
- C-SPAN — Congressional Baseball Game history dating to 1909 and charity focus beginning in 2016
- Columbia Missourian — Schmitt’s fourth congressional game appearance
