[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 114 (Wednesday, September 3, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S8738]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ONEONTA YANKEES

 Mr. MOYNIHAN. Mr. President, the major league baseball season 
does not end for another month, but today is the end of the regular 
season of the New York Penn short-season A League.
  I am very proud to congratulate two teams for making the playoffs, 
the Batavia Clippers and, closer to my home in Pindars Corners, the 
Oneonta Yankees. Oneonta is this year's winner of the New York Penn's 
Pickney Division, with the second best record in the league. Led by 
hitting stars such as third baseman Alan Butler and catcher/designated 
hitter Rene Pinto, behind the pitching of Scott Wiggins and Zach Day, 
and with the support of the rest of the team which played outstanding 
baseball this year, the Oneonta Yankees had their best season in 7 
years and are going to the playoffs for the first time since 1990.
  The Oneonta Yankees have a tradition of success and excellence, 
having won the New York Penn league title 11 times in their 30 years of 
existence. The team has been affiliated with the world champion New 
York Yankees for longer than any other minor-league club in the Yankee 
organization. Several of today's Yankee stars, including Bernie 
Williams and Andy Pettitte, began their careers in Oneonta. Don 
Mattingly--affectionately referred to by the cognoscenti as ``Donnie 
Baseball''--whose number 23 was just retired at a ceremony at Yankee 
Stadium this past weekend, also played for the Oneonta Yankees.
  As the season ends and the playoffs begin, I want to extend my 
congratulations to Sam Nader, team owner; Joe Arnold, team manager; and 
the entire Oneonta Yankees team. I also want to wish them and the 
Batavia Clippers the best of luck in the post season.

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