[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 140 (Thursday, October 8, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1949]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     REMARKS ON THE ATLANTA BRAVES

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                           HON. NEWT GINGRICH

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 7, 1998

  Mr. GINGRICH. Mr. Speaker, I gladly accept the challenge of my 
distinguished colleague, Duke Cunningham.
  While I respect his personal faith about the San Diego Padres, I also 
know that sometimes faith is not enough. And this year that saying will 
have to comfort the gentleman from California as he watches the Atlanta 
Braves win the National League Championship.
  My dear Colleague from San Diego offered three reasons for his faith 
in the San Diego Padres.
  I would like to offer my reasons for knowing the Atlanta Braves will 
win:
  (1) Cy Young award winner John Smoltz is 17 and 3 with a 2.90 era
  (2) Cy Young award winner Tom Glavine is 20 and 6 with a 4.47 era
  (3) Four time Cy Young award winner Greg Maddux is 18 and 9 with a 
2.22 era
  (4) Danny Neagle is 16 and 11 with a 3.55 era, and
  (5) Rookie Kevin Millwood is 17 and 8 with a 4.08 era
  The Padres may have Greg Vaughn, but the Atlanta Braves have Andres 
Galarraga with 44 home runs, Javier Lopez and Chipper Jones with 34, 
and Andruw Jones with 31--not to forget three other players with over 
100 home runs.
  The Braves' team batting average against the Padres was .259 vs. .209 
for the Padres. The Braves outscored San Diego 34 to 29, had 17 more 
hits, five more home Runs, 3 more stolen bases, and 8 more strikeouts.
  And while Tony Gwynn is indeed impressive, he only batted .321 this 
year, while the Braves starters include Chipper Jones (.313), Andres 
Galarraga (.305), and Gerald Williams (.305). The Braves also out hit 
the Padres at almost every position, including pitcher.
  Atlanta, the beautiful ``capital'' of the South, is blessed with many 
benefits, but having the Braves as their home team is one of the best. 
It is hard to beat Southern culture and great baseball.
  In light of this, I not only accept the distinguished gentleman's 
challenge, I raise him: If the San Diego Padres win, I will give 100 
pounds of fabulous southern BBQ to a homeless shelter in the 
gentleman's district.
  And of course, if the Braves win, I will ensure that the gentleman 
from California's seat on the Appropriations Committee is secure 
despite this direct challenge. Now if the Padres win. . . .

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