Congressman Steve Scalise throws out first pitch at Nationals-Cubs playoff game

WASHINGTON - On his 52nd birthday, House Majority Whip Steve Scalise threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 1 of the National League Division Series between the Washington Nationals and the Chicago Cubs Friday night.

Scalise, wearing a No. 3 Nationals jersey with his name on it, fired a strike to U.S. Capitol Police Special Agent David Bailey while holding onto a walker in front of the mound.

Scalise, Bailey and three others were injured when a gunman opened fire on a Republican baseball practice in nearby Alexandria, Virginia.

After the ceremonial pitch, two others who were wounded in the shooting, congressional aide Zachary Barth and former staffer and current lobbyist Matt Mika, joined Scalise and Bailey on the field to deliver the lineup card.

U.S. Capitol Police and other officers returned fire and killed the gunman. The rifle-wielding attacker had nursed grievances against President Donald Trump and the GOP.

Scalise was hospitalized for more than a month and has undergone rehabilitation treatment ever since. He returned to Capitol Hill in September.