[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 163 (Wednesday, November 17, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2426]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO CARLOS BELTRAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 16, 1999

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Carlos 
Beltran, an outstanding Puerto Rican athlete and a very successful 
baseball player. On November 10, 1999, Carlos was selected as the 1999 
American League Rookie of the Year by the Baseball Writers Association 
of America. Carlos previously was honored as the league's top rookie by 
Baseball America, the Sporting News, and Baseball Digest.
  Born in Manati, P.R., Carlos turned in Rookie of the Year numbers, 
hitting at a .293 clip with 112 runs scored, 22 home runs and 108 RBIs. 
He became the first American League rookie to collect 100 RBIs in a 
season since Mark McGwire in 1987 (118) and the first big league rookie 
with 100 RBIs since Los Angeles' Mike Piazza in 1993 (112).
  Mr. Speaker, Carlos was the Royals' 2nd-round pick in the 1995 June 
Free Agent Draft. He has never played a game at the Triple-A level, as 
he made the jump from Double-A Wichita to Kansas City in September of 
last season. The 22-year-old was second in the American League with 663 
at-bats, tied for third with 16 outfield assists and was seventh with 
194 hits. He led A.L. rookies in runs, hits, home runs, RBIs, multi-hit 
games (54), total bases (301), stolen bases (27) and on-base percentage 
(.337).
  Carlos Beltran established numerous Royals rookie records in 1999, as 
he produced one of the best all-around seasons of any player in club 
history with 22 homers, 27 stolen bases, 108 RBIs, 112 runs and 16 
outfield assists.
  Through his dedication, discipline, and success in baseball, Mr. 
Beltran serves as a role model for millions of youngsters in the United 
States and Puerto Rico who dream of succeeding, like him, in the world 
of baseball.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Mr. 
Carlos Beltran for his contributions and dedication to baseball, as 
well as for serving as a role model for the youth of Puerto Rico and 
the U.S.A.

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