[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 139 (Tuesday, October 1, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1888]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        A TRIBUTE TO THE PADRES

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                     HON. RANDY ``DUKE'' CUNNINGHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 30, 1996

  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the San 
Diego Padres. Yesterday, the Padres completed a three-game sweep 
against the Dodgers in Los Angeles to win the National League West 
Title.
  Facing a must win three-game series in Los Angeles, the Padres rose 
to the challenge. With a different hero for each of the three games, 
the Padres proved that teamwork is the core of their game. On Friday, 
Ken Caminiti tied the score with a solo home run in the 8th and doubled 
for the go-ahead run in the 10th. On Saturday, Tony Gwynn hit a two-
out, bases-loaded single in the eighth inning to break a tie, giving 
the Padres a 4-2 win. Finally on Sunday, with the Division Title 
hanging in the balance, former Dodger Chris Gwynn hit a two-run double 
in the top of the 11th that crowned the Padres Division Champions.
  This San Diego team is one of pure heart filled with heroes: seven-
time batting champion Tony Gwynn; Ken Caminiti the leading favorite for 
the National League's Most Valuable Player award; all-time stolen base 
leader Ricky Henderson; Steve Finley and Wally Joyner who helped make 
1996 one of the most exciting seasons in club history; proven starting 
pitcher Andy Ashby; Trevor Hoffman whose 41 saves helped lift San Diego 
to a 91-72 record; and every other member of this team has proven that 
teamwork wins titles.
  In addition, special recognition must be given to the owners John 
Moores and Larry Lucchino, who made a commitment to winning; and 
manager Bruce Bochy, who balanced all of the different personnel of 
this team to win the Western Division Championship.
  The Padres face the Cardinals in a best-of-five series. The winner of 
the series plays another series to determine the National League 
Champs. But no matter the outcome, America's Finest City has the 
Western Division's finest team, the Padres.

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