Rep. Shomari C. Figures, D‑Alabama, took the field Wednesday night for his first-ever Congressional Baseball Game for Charity, donning the jerseys of two of Mobile, Alabama’s most legendary sons — Hank Aaron and Satchel Paige.
“Mobile’s rich baseball history is well‑documented,” Figures said ahead of the game. “Hank Aaron and Satchel Paige are two of the greatest players ever to play the game, and I am thrilled to take the field tonight in their respective jerseys.”
The annual game, a cherished bipartisan tradition since 1909, pits members of the U.S. House and Senate against one another in a spirited match that raises funds for local charities. Over time, the event has evolved into a significant philanthropic effort, now managed by Congressional Sports for Charity, a foundation established in 2016 to support organizations aiding vulnerable children and families in the Washington, D.C. area. Beneficiaries include the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, Washington Nationals Philanthropies, and the U.S. Capitol Police Memorial Fund, honoring officers wounded in the tragic 2017 shooting at the Republican team’s practice.
This year, the Republican team won the 2025 Congressional Baseball Game, defeating the Democrats 13–2 on June 11 at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. The victory marked their fifth consecutive win, extending their all-time series lead to 47–42.
Figures’ jersey tribute paid homage not only to two of baseball’s most celebrated players but also to the enduring legacy of Mobile, Alabama, one of the most prolific birthplaces of baseball talent.
Satchel Paige, born Leroy Paige on July 7, 1906, began his career with the semi-pro Mobile Tigers in the 1920s. A showman and a trailblazer, Paige rose through the ranks of the Negro leagues before breaking barriers in Major League Baseball. At age 42, he became the oldest rookie in MLB history, joining the Cleveland Indians in 1948 and later becoming the first Black pitcher in the American League. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971, remembered for his incredible talent and unshakable perseverance.
Hank Aaron, born February 5, 1934, in Mobile’s “Down the Bay” neighborhood, started his rise to greatness with the Mobile Black Bears while still in high school. He debuted in the majors with the Milwaukee Braves in 1954, ultimately compiling a .305 batting average, 755 home runs, and 3,771 career hits. Aaron was a 25-time All-Star, the 1957 National League MVP, and a three-time Gold Glove winner. He broke Babe Ruth’s home run record amid a torrent of racist threats and hate mail, emerging not just as a baseball icon but as a civil rights hero.
Mobile’s contributions to the game stretch beyond Aaron and Paige. The city is the birthplace of five Baseball Hall of Famers: Hank Aaron, Satchel Paige, Ozzie Smith, Billy Williams, and Willie McCovey — a feat unmatched by any other U.S. city of its size.
Figures’ tribute on Wednesday wasn’t just about jerseys. It was a reminder to the nation of Mobile’s unmatched legacy in America’s pastime — and the lasting impact of two men who transcended the diamond to become symbols of excellence, dignity, and resilience.
