[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 138 (Tuesday, October 6, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S11638]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    THE REMARKABLE NEW YORK YANKEES

 Mr. MOYNIHAN. Mr. President, I rise today to add my voice to 
the growing chorus of people proclaiming, ``Thank God for baseball!'' 
In this otherwise tumultuous year, the national pastime is back. Mark 
McGwire and Sammy Sosa broke Ruthian (and Marisian!) records, Cal 
Ripken voluntarily ended his heroic streak of 2,632 consecutive games 
played (a record which may never be broken) and, most importantly, the 
New York Yankees and the incomparable Joe Torre are back on top. Well 
done!
  While New Yorkers have grown accustomed to the success of the Bronx 
Bombers, 1998 is truly a departure from anything we've witnessed of 
late. The numbers astound. Their 114 regular season victories are the 
most in baseball since the 1906 Chicago Cubs. Bernie Williams took the 
batting title, and on May 17 David Wells hurled the first perfect game 
by a Yankee pitcher since Don Larsen's masterpiece in game five of the 
1956 World Series. (I was an aide to Governor Harriman at the time.) On 
Friday night, after a three-hour rain delay, the Yankees swept the 
prodigiously talented Texas Rangers 3-0 in their first-round American 
League playoff series.
  Sadly, the season is not without its concerns. Darryl Strawberry, the 
embattled talent who so bravely and admirably turned his life and 
career around these past few years, was diagnosed last week with colon 
cancer. The Yankees outfielder/designated hitter underwent surgery 
Saturday and the prognosis of a full recovery is excellent. Our prayers 
are with him.
  Tonight, in the Bronx, the Yankees will host the Cleveland Indians in 
the first game of the American League Championship Series, the winner 
to face the Atlanta Braves or San Diego Padres in the World Series. No 
doubt Darryl Strawberry will be in the hearts and minds of the entire 
team and city, as the Yankees continue their most remarkable season. 
Just two years ago, the Yankees won the World Series, and I was honored 
to ride in a motorcade down Broadway with Joe DiMaggio, the original 
Yankee Clipper. In all likelihood another parade is in the 
offing.

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