[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 135 (Thursday, October 1, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1851]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1851]]



                        TRIBUTE TO MARK McGWIRE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DAVID DREIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 1, 1998

  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, at a time when America needed a distraction 
from Washington scandals, hurricanes, and global economic crises, St. 
Louis Cardinals first baseman Mark McGwire lifted our spirits and made 
us forget our troubles. For his achievements on and off the baseball 
field, Mark McGwire deserves our praise and admiration. We all share in 
the pride felt by his parents, Dr. John and Ginger McGwire, who were 
long time residents of Claremont, California.
  The people of California feel a special bond with this son of the San 
Gabriel Valley. Born in Pomona and raised in Claremont, McGwire 
graduated from Damien High School where he was recruited by the 
University of Southern California as a pitcher. At USC, McGwire gave up 
pitching to become an everyday player. Like Babe Ruth, McGwire has 
become one of the most feared hitters in the major league. This year, 
his 70 home runs shattered the 37-year-old mark set by Roger Maris. 
McGwire also had a .752 slugging average, the highest average since 
1927. He had 162 walks, which is the second most intentional walks in a 
season. To put that in perspective, in 1961 Roger Maris drew only 94 
walks and never received an intentional walk.
  Besides his accomplishments on the baseball diamond, McGwire is an 
all-star off the field. He is a devoted father, and the images of him 
hugging his son, Matt, after home run #62 brought tears to many eyes. 
In 1987, McGwire had a chance to lead the American League in home runs 
as a rookie, but instead he sat out the end of the season to be there 
for his son's birth. His love for children is extraordinary. Last year, 
McGwire pledged $3 million to his foundation which helps sexually 
abused children. While in Oakland, he regularly wore wristbands with 
the pictures of missing children so viewers could see them on 
television. After awarding McGwire with their Sportsman of the Year 
award last year, The Sporting News President James Nuckols 
appropriately commented, ``the quantity and sheer power of Mark's home 
runs have put him in a class of his own, but his moving example of 
selflessness and loyalty have made him equally unique.''
  Baseball historians may view Mark McGwire's legacy as the greatest 
home run hitter of all time. McGwire has hit a home run every 11.3 at 
bats, which is the lowest ratio by a major leaguer--lower than Hank 
Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, and Harmon Killebrew. Or, his legacy may 
be this year's 70 home runs which may never be surpassed. However, Mr. 
Speaker, I believe McGwire's legacy should be the tremendous 
inspiration that he provides. As he described in a recent interview, 
``for all the bad things that are going on in the world, for a short 
period of time, [I was] putting a lot of smiles on people's faces.'' To 
be sure, Mark McGwire has been an inspiration to all of us. He is the 
pride of the San Gabriel Valley.

                          ____________________