[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 30 (Thursday, February 25, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E296]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IN MEMORY OF WILMER ``VINEGAR BEND'' MIZELL

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. MICHAEL G. OXLEY

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 24, 1999

  Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to offer a tip of the old baseball 
cap to a great team player--Wilmer Mizell.
  I was saddened to learn of Wilmer's death this past Sunday at the age 
of 68. It's appropriate that Congress put its appreciation of one of 
its most genial Members in the record books.
  I first came across Wilmer Mizell not as a Congressman from North 
Carolina, but as a cagey major league pitcher known as ``Vinegar Bend'' 
on his baseball cards. Truly the kind of great baseball nickname I 
fondly remember from my boyhood in the 1950's.
  Anyway, I was a 14-year-old fan when I met Wilmer and some of his 
fellow St. Louis Cardinals in Milwaukee. He gave me his autograph--in 
fact, I still treasure those Cardinal autographs today--and tickets to 
the game. That's when ballplayers really were heroes to their fans, and 
when baseball was the indisputable National Pastime.
  You'll find Wilmer Mizell permanently listed in the baseball fan's 
bible, the Encyclopedia of Baseball. He pitched for the Cardinals, the 
Pittsburgh Pirates, and the New York Mets. He was a key addition for 
the Pirates in 1960, when Pittsburgh capped an improbable World Series 
victory over the Yankees on Bill Mazeroski's stunning home run. Wilmer 
then performed the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of the grand old game 
by toiling for the expansion Mets.
  After a few years, Wilmer Mizell broke into another exclusive lineup. 
He was elected as a Congressman from North Carolina. Wilmer served his 
district with distinction from 1968 to 1974. He would later serve in 
the Commerce Department under President Ford and in the Agriculture 
Department under President Reagan. His easy-going style masked a savvy 
mind.
  When I was a boy, I couldn't have imagined that I would meet Wilmer 
Mizell on the baseball field again * * * only this time, as a 
Congressman. For years, Wilmer was a fixture at the congressional 
baseball game. As a longtime player, I can't tell you how much it meant 
to have Wilmer at practice and at the game itself. One of my great 
regrets in my first year as manager of the Republican team is that 
Wilmer won't be there to share his advice, wisdom, and wit.
  But we will all remember Wilmer Mizell when we rise for the National 
Anthem before the game this June. He was the essence of two traits 
common to success in baseball and politics: good-hearted competition 
and real camaraderie. We'll miss this great ballplayer, great American, 
and truly good friend.

                          ____________________