‘I’m back’: Steve Scalise’s return to the Congressional Baseball Game had all the makings of a Disney movie: WATCH

Exactly one year after nearly losing his life at the hands of a gunman, Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., made the first play of the 2018 Congressional Baseball Game and earned a bipartisan ovation in the process.

Scalise, the Republicans’ starting second baseman, still walks with the assistance of a crutch and was scheduled to only be in the game for one play, of which he took full advantage. On the first pitch, he fielded a grounder hit by Democratic leadoff man Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Calif., and threw him out from a knee.

“You can’t make this stuff up,” noted Fox News congressional correspondent Chad Pergram.

A smiling Ruiz removed his helmet in respect and joined Republicans in embracing Scalise, who was then helped off the field by Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-La., and Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio.

Scalise also received an ovation while being introduced to the crowd at Nationals Park before the game.

Thursday night’s nonprofit contest occurred exactly 365 days after James Hodgkinson opened fire at the Republican team’s last practice leading up to the 2017 game. It was the first time a member of Congress had been shot since former Rep. Gabby Giffords. D-Ariz., was shot in 2011.

Scalise credited U.S. Capitol Police officers Crystal Griner and David Bailey, two of the five injured in the shooting, with saving his life that day. The pair not only tossed out joint-first pitches at the 2018 game, but helped Scalise take the field prior to the first inning.

It is still yet to be determined if Scalise will ever fully recover from his once-life-threatening injuries, but he told Fox News ahead of the game that while the public only sees the “bad” part of his recovery, “there was so much good that [he] got to experience.”

The White House also congratulated Scalise on his return during Thursday’s press briefing.

“Tonight at Nationals Park, Republicans and Democrats in Congress will put aside their political differences to play America’s game,” press secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters. “After last year’s horrible shooting at the GOP practice, where Capitol Police acted heroically in the line of fire to save lives, we are excited to see those who were injured return to the field, including Majority Whip Steve Scalise.”

“Those injured have fought hard for this moment and we will proudly be cheering them on. I have heard the Republican team looks good in practice and that they’re headed for a victory.”

Sanders had apparently been fed some bad information. Despite the feel good moments at the start of the game, Republicans had very little to cheer for the next eight innings.

The Democrats creamed the GOP, winning by a final score of 21-5. Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-La., tossed a complete game and hit a 3-run, inside the park home run to boot. They’ve won 7 of the last 8 games.

Thursday night’s rout brought the Democrats within one win of evening up the all-time score. As of 2018, the Republicans lead the series, 42-41, with one game ending in a tie.