[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 119 (Wednesday, September 10, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1715]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  A TRIBUTE TO THE LATE RICHIE ASHBURN

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                        HON. THOMAS M. FOGLIETTA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 10, 1997

  Mr. FOGLIETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a man who 
holds a special place in the hearts of all Philadelphians, Don Richard 
Ashburn. Richie Ashburn died of a heart attack yesterday in New York at 
the age of 70. Just hours before, he had been in the booth at Shea 
Stadium broadcasting a game between the Mets and his beloved Phillies.
  For almost 50 years, Richie was a part of Philadelphia. He came up as 
a rookie in 1948 and promptly won the job of starting center fielder. 
That year he hit .333 with 32 stolen bases, was the only rookie voted 
to the all-star game, and was subsequently named Rookie of the Year. He 
won batting titles in 1955 and 1958, and was known as a superb 
outfielder who could run down almost any ball. He set records by 
notching 500 or more putouts in four different seasons and 400 or more 
putouts in 9 seasons.
  On the last day of the season in 1950, with the Phillies leading the 
Dodgers by only one game in the standings, the two teams met at Ebbetts 
Field to decide who would take the National League Pennant. With the 
score tied 1-1 in the bottom of the ninth, a Brooklyn player tried to 
score from second on a ball hit into the outfield by Duke Snyder. 
Richie fielded the ball and threw a perfect strike to the catcher, who 
tagged the sliding Dodger out to end the threat. The Phillies won that 
game with 10th-inning home run, but it was Richie's throw home that 
saved the season for the ``Whiz Kids.'' Some of us remember that game 
like it was yesterday, and I will always remember Richie's voice, which 
was the voice of the Phillies for decades after his retirement as a 
player. His midwestern twang, his dry humor, and the sage baseball 
wisdom which characterized his broadcasts could be heard throughout the 
city from April to October. Richie was elected to the hall of fame in 
1995 and on July 30 that year, more than 35,000 fans, most sporting 
Phillies red, showed up to usher him into the hall. It was the largest 
crowd ever at a hall of fame induction ceremony.
  The city of Philadelphia lost a friend yesterday. Richie was a class 
act. All over the city, from the stoops of South Philly to the church 
which now sits where Connie Mack Stadium once played host to Whitey's 
many triumphs, the city mourns the loss of its favorite adopted son. 
Richie Ashburn grew up in a small town in Nebraska, but he came to love 
Philadelphia as much as Philadelphia loved him. City flags will remain 
at half-mast until Richie is laid to rest. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my 
colleagues join me today in honoring the memory of Richie Ashburn, who 
was more than just a great ballplayer.

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