[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 91 (Tuesday, July 9, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S6497]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 HONORING UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA, CLEMSON FOR MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP 
                             BASEBALL TEAMS

 Mr. HOLLINGS. Mr. President, last month as sports fans around 
the world focused their attention on soccer, the student athletes of 
South Carolina reminded this nation why baseball is America's game.
  Both the University of South Carolina and Clemson University played 
in the final rounds for the national title. While the Senators from 
Texas have the bragging rights to the trophy, I can say this: the South 
Carolina teams had their most successful seasons ever and engaged in a 
rivalry that will long be remembered in my state.
  This year, my alma mater Gamecocks won a record 57 games, in what was 
supposed to have been a rebuilding year. In the last three years they 
have had more wins than any team in the nation. In the tournament, they 
beat their bitter rival Clemson twice, thus making it to the final game 
for the first time since Jerry Ford was President. For Clemson it was a 
heartbreaking finish to an incredible run. For two months, the Tigers 
had been ranked number one in the polls. They won 54 games, the most in 
their history, including winning 10 games against top 10 teams.
  And although baseball is a team sport, this Senator cannot overlook 
one player in particular: Clemson shortstop Khalil Greene. He was named 
national player of the year. Hitting .470, he may have had the greatest 
season any Clemson player in any sport has ever had. His season reminds 
me of when I was a very young fan, in 1930, and Babe Ruth earned 
$80,000 and was asked why did he make more money than President Hoover, 
and he replied, ``I had a better year than he did.''
  In his professional life, Mr. Greene will probably have better years 
than any United States Senator, including our Hall of Famer, Senator 
Bunning. I congratulate Mr. Greene, University of South Carolina Coach 
Ray Tanner, and Clemson coach Jack Leggett. And I salute all the 
players who on the field showed us what great athletes they are, and 
who made this season the best ever for South Carolina baseball 
fans.

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