[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 111 (Thursday, July 31, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S8629]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO HAROLD ``PRINCE HAL'' NEWHOUSER

 Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to one 
of Michigan's greatest athletes in America's greatest pastime. Baseball 
was Harold ``Prince Hal'' Newhouser's life, and it showed every minute 
during the 15 years he was on the field, proudly wearing the Detroit 
Tigers jersey number 16. Rising to prominence during a time when 
athletes played for the love of the sport, Harold's story represents a 
fine example of the American ethic of hard work and determination.
  At 14 years old, Harold listened intently to the announcer as Goose 
Goslin drove in the series winning run, giving the Detroit Tigers the 
1935 pennant. Harold was so excited about the victory he decided his 
life's goal was to play for his hometown Tigers. Four months after his 
eighteenth birthday, as he stepped on the mound for the first time, 
Harold's dream came true.
  Harold Newhouser was born to play baseball. Just a few years after he 
began pitching for the Tigers, Harold reached the coveted twenty wins 
in one season. In 1942, Harold was named to the All-Star team. In 1944, 
he earned the American League's Most Valuable Player award, and won it 
again the very next year. This occasion marked the only time in history 
a major league picture won the MVP award in back-to-back seasons.
  By the time Harold Newhouser retired in 1955, he had played in six 
All-Star Games, won two MVP's, and earned recognition as a strikeout 
king with a blazing fastball. In 1992, his achievements were formally 
recognized through his induction into the Hall of Fame. As Harold is 
proud to point out, he is the first Detroit-born player to go into the 
Hall of Fame, and he's the first Detroit-born player to have his 
uniform number retired by the Tigers.
  And that occasion, Mr. President, is what I rise today to 
commemorate. Harold was born in Detroit, grew up in Detroit, and played 
baseball for Detroit. This Sunday the Tigers will bestow upon him their 
highest honor, and on behalf of Michigan, I would like to recognize his 
accomplishments in the Record, and to thank him for his outstanding 
representation of Michigan throughout his life, both on and off the 
field.