[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 88 (Tuesday, July 7, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S7609]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              NORTH DAKOTANS DARIN ERSTAD AND RICK HELLING

 Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I want to call the Senate's 
attention today to two young men from my state who are making their 
marks this year where few North Dakotans have before: in major league 
baseball. They are Darin Erstad of the Anaheim Angels and Rick Helling 
of the Texas Rangers. A few weeks ago, ESPN referred to Darin Erstad as 
``the all-star no one's heard of.'' That will change after his 
introduction tonight at the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in 
Denver. Although baseball fans did not elect Darin to the all-star 
team, the American League coaching staff recognized his brilliant play 
and named him as a reserve. So far this season, the Jamestown, North 
Dakota, native is batting .313, and his 115 hits ranks second in the 
American League. He currently leads his Angels' teammates in home runs 
(18) and runs batted in (59). I am sure that few who watched him play 
as a youngster in North Dakota, or as a college player with the 
Nebraska Cornhuskers, are surprised at his success at the major league 
level. He is clearly a disciplined, hard-working player, and his 
election to this year's all-star team is well deserved.
  Rick Helling's success in Texas this summer has been no less 
spectacular. As a starting pitcher with the Rangers, the Devils Lake, 
North Dakota, native finished the first half of the season with an 
impressive record of 11 wins, 4 losses, and an earned run average of 
4.40. Only two pitchers in the American League have posted more wins 
this season. Unfortunately, Rick was not chosen to the all-star squad. 
That is a shame, but the rosters for the game are limited and each year 
deserving players are left out. Rick deserved to be on the team and his 
omission should not overshadow what has so far been an outstanding 
year. He is well on a pace to win 20 games, the benchmark all starting 
major league pitchers strive for. I know he has the talent to do it and 
I wish him continued success.
  Considering how few North Dakotans have ever played in the major 
leagues, my state is understandably proud that two of them are 
achieving such terrific success at the same time. But it is even more 
fitting that Darin Erstad and Rick Helling are having breakthrough 
seasons this year. Those who follow baseball know that the summer's 
biggest story has been the attempt by several players, most notably 
Mark McGwire, Ken Griffey, Jr., and Sammy Sosa, to break the single 
season record for most home runs. That enduring record of 61 home runs, 
which has stood for nearly four decades, was set by the New York 
Yankees' slugger Roger Maris. Roger Maris, I am very proud to say, was 
raised in Fargo, North Dakota.

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