Rep. John Shimkus (R-Ill.) was never supposed to pitch in 2005. He had endured invasive open-heart surgery just three months before, and his body was weak from a required post-operational rest period. But sometimes, as Shimkus knows well, the Annual Roll Call Congressional Baseball Game inspires some pretty unbelievable things.

After five solid innings, starting pitcher Sen. John Ensign (Nev.) and his band of Republicans were out in front of their Democratic rivals, 12-8. The series sweep was in sight, but not yet in hand.

Then Ensign and teammate Rick Santorum (Pa.) were called into an evening Senate session to vote on an energy bill. The mound was vacant with two all-important innings to go. Enter Shimkus.

“It probably wasn’t the smartest thing I’ve ever done, he admitted in a recent interview. After a long pause, he added, “I really do love the game of baseball.

Shimkus only pitched one inning that day, but it was the key to what eventually became a Republican blowout. The GOP lit up Democratic reliever Rep. Bart Stupak (Mich.) for five runs in the top of the sixth, and Shimkus closed out the frame by holding his opponents to just two. When Shimkus handed the ball back to Ensign, the lead was an insurmountable seven runs. The Republicans cruised through the seventh to a 19-11 rout.