[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 126 (Tuesday, October 1, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H6857-H6859]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING OAKLAND ATHLETICS FOR SETTING MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL 
                   RECORD FOR LONGEST WINNING STREAK

  Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 530) congratulating the players, management, 
staff, and fans of the Oakland Athletics organization for setting the 
Major League Baseball record for the longest winning streak by an 
American League baseball team.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 530

       Whereas on September 4, 2002, the Oakland Athletics set the 
     Major League Baseball record for the longest winning streak 
     by an American League baseball team by winning 20 consecutive 
     games;
       Whereas before September 4, 2002, the record for the 
     longest winning streak by an American League baseball team 
     had stood for 55 years;
       Whereas the only other 2 American League baseball teams to 
     win 19 consecutive games were the 1947 New York Yankees and 
     the 1906 Chicago White Sox;
       Whereas only 2 Major League Baseball teams have won 20 or 
     more consecutive games--this year's Oakland Athletics with 20 
     consecutive wins and the 1935 Chicago Cubs with 21 
     consecutive wins;
       Whereas the team also set a record for the Oakland 
     Athletics by winning 24 games during the month of August;
       Whereas during their winning streak the Oakland Athletics 
     outscored their opponents 141 to 65 and trailed their 
     opponents during only 10 innings of the 180 innings of the 
     streak;
       Whereas the starting pitchers of the Oakland Athletics--
     Barry Zito, Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder, and Cory Lidle--pitched 
     into the seventh inning in all but 6 of the games won as part 
     of the streak and were credited with 15 of the 20 consecutive 
     wins;
       Whereas shortstop Miguel Tejada and first baseman Scott 
     Hatteberg each hit walk-off hits or home runs during the 
     streak;
       Whereas the Oakland Athletics were 4\1/2\ games out of 
     first place in the Western Division of the American League 
     and 2\1/2\ games out of the lead for the American League wild 
     card at the beginning of the streak, and ended the streak 
     with a 2 game lead in the division;
       Whereas the Oakland Athletics accomplished this feat with 
     the help of wise decisions by Manager Art Howe and General 
     Manager Billy Beane; and
       Whereas the Oakland Athletics had to sweep some formidable 
     opponents in order to achieve this record, including the 
     leader of the Central Division of the American League, the 
     Minnesota Twins: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives congratulates 
     the players, management, staff, and fans of the Oakland 
     Athletics organization for setting the Major League Baseball 
     record for the longest winning streak by an American League 
     baseball team.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Shimkus). Pursuant to the rule, the 
gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Sullivan) and the gentleman from Illinois 
(Mr. Davis) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Sullivan).


                             General Leave

  Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks on H. Res. 530.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Oklahoma?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have the House consider House Resolution 
530, legislation introduced by my distinguished colleague from 
California (Mr. Ose). This resolution congratulates the players, 
management, staff and fans of the Oakland Athletics organization for 
setting the Major League Baseball record for the longest winning streak 
by an American League baseball team.
  The Athletics, or A's as they are affectionately known, won 20 
straight games earlier this season en route to winning their second 
American League West Division championship in the last three seasons.
  During their remarkable streak, the A's outscored their opponents 141 
to 62. The A's were defeated 2 to 1 on August 12 by the Toronto Blue 
Jays and did not lose until September 6 against the Minnesota Twins.
  After the game that ended the improbable streak, Twins third baseman 
Corey Koskie said, ``To win 20 games in a row, I don't know too many 
high school teams that do that. To do that at the major league level is 
an amazing feat.''
  Mr. Speaker, manager Art Howe and the Oakland Athletics have enjoyed 
a wonderful season, winning 103 games and qualifying for the playoffs, 
highlighted by their phenomenal 20-game winning streak.
  I ask that all Members honor the efforts of the Oakland Athletics 
this season by supporting the adoption of House Resolution 530.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
might consume.
  Mr. Speaker, on the evening of Wednesday, September 4, the Oakland

[[Page H6858]]

Athletics made baseball history by becoming the first American League 
team to win 20 consecutive games.
  With a 12-11 victory over the Royals before a record crowd at Network 
Associates Coliseum of 55,528 fans, the A's passed the 1947 Yankees and 
the 1906 White Sox for the longest-running streak in American League 
history.
  The game had plenty of drama and made-for-television episodes. The 
A's jumped out to an 11-0 lead after 3 innings, but ended up getting 
caught with 11 unanswered runs. The game was tied when the A's pulled 
off a game-winning homer in the bottom of the ninth.
  The Oakland A's accomplished this feat by beating many formidable 
opponents, and I, too, want to congratulate the team for earning its 
place in the baseball record book, and I would urge adoption of this 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Ose).
  Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Oklahoma for 
yielding me the time.
  Mr. Speaker, it is October 1, and every October 1 every American 
wakes up and realizes that it is playoff time. Today we across the 
country and in the cities fortunate to enough to have teams still 
participating, those playoffs started.
  In the National League, the defending world champion Arizona 
Diamondbacks face off against the St. Louis Cardinals while the San 
Francisco Giants challenge the Atlanta Braves. Over in the American 
league, the Yankees face the Anaheim Angels, and the Oakland A's take 
on the Minnesota Twins.
  It is only appropriate that we take this opportunity at the end of 
the season to look back at the season and at an amazing record by those 
amazing A's.
  The truly historic part of this past season is what we are here to 
honor today, and that is the record 20-game winning streak of the 
Oakland A's. When the A's took the field on August 14, they were 4\1/2\ 
games back in the American League West division standings. They were 
2\1/2\ games out in the wild card race, and they got hot. They did not 
just get hot, Mr. Speaker, they started to cook.
  Left-handed pitcher Barry Zito took the mound that night and, as he 
has for much of the Athletics' season, set the tone for what was to 
come. Zito led the A's to a narrow 5-to-4 victory, and he started 
something truly amazing.
  The A's won their next 19 games in a row. They had a second victory 
against Toronto.
  They took three against the White Sox where shortstop Miguel Tejada 
got his 100th RBI of the season.
  They took four against the Cleveland Indians, including pitcher Corey 
Lidle's one-hit shutout.
  They took three against Detroit where even Mother Nature, Mother 
Nature, conspired to try to stop them, but where the A's returned from 
a 2-hour rain delay to keep on winning.
  They won three against Kansas City, took all three, and Zito led them 
to their 10th straight road victory.
  At that point, they took three more against Minnesota where Tejada 
went yard off the almost unhittable Twins closer Eddie Guardado and 
kept the streak alive.
  Then two more against the Royals where Tejada and first baseman Scott 
Hatteberg led the A's back in the late innings with game-winning 
hitting, but as everything must, this came to an end.
  Finally, Twins pitcher Brad Radke stopped the seemingly unstoppable 
A's, and that is what makes today's game, incidentally between the A's 
and the Twins, round 1 in the American League West playoffs. That is 
all much more exciting. Guess who is pitching for the Twins today? It 
is Brad Radke, and I just want to bring my colleagues up to date.
  It is the third inning, and the A's are up 5 to 3.

                              {time}  1730

   The 20 games the A's won is the longest winning streak in American 
League history. In the past 55 years, no team had even won 19 in a row. 
In fact, the only two American League teams to win 19 straight were the 
1947 Yankees and the 1906 Chicago White Sox. In fact, only one other 
Major League Baseball team has ever won 20 in a row and that is the '35 
Chicago Cubs who won 21 consecutive games.
  Baseball is a game of statistics. Think about this. This is truly 
amazing. Every year every major league team has 142 opportunities to 
create a 20-game win streak; yet for 55 years, 55 years, this is 2002, 
so that would have been back to just after the end of World War II, for 
55 years no team has accomplished what the A's did this year. Right in 
the face of a heated pennant race, they kept at it.
  Let us look at some of their numbers. During this winning streak, the 
A's outscored their opponents 141 to 65 and trailed their opponents 
during only 10 innings of the 180 innings of the streak. Their starting 
pitchers, Zito, Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder, and Corey Lidle, pitched into 
the seventh inning in all but six of the 20 games won and were credited 
with 15 of the 20 wins; and even when they did trail, as we all would 
hope, they fought back.
  I mentioned that Tejada and Hatteberg each had walk-off hits 
contributing to victories, game-ending rallies. This is a team that was 
trailing the Seattle Mariners and the Anaheim Angels when August began, 
and they came back to win the division. It was a great run.
  Mr. Speaker, as in everything we do in this country, this 20-game 
winning streak took true teamwork. Defense, baseball is defense, 
baseball is pitching, baseball is offense, baseball is scouting. Credit 
not only goes to the players, but to the entire A's organization. I 
join with my colleagues in congratulating owners Steve Schott and Ken 
Hoffman; Billy Beane, who used to play himself; manager Art Howe, who 
used to play for Houston; and the other members of staff who 
contributed to building this record-setting team. They put this 
remarkable squad together despite losing many team leaders to free 
agency and with one of the smallest budgets of the league. Despite 
these challenges, they not only set records, the A's finished the 
season with a better record this year than last. In Sacramento, home of 
the A's AAA affiliate, the Sacramento River Cats, we watch many of the 
young men hope to make it to the big leagues with Oakland. It is truly 
a great pleasure to see them move up and move into the majors and make 
such an impact.
  I look forward to seeing more great baseball as the playoffs begin 
today, but in my mind 2002 will always be the year of the Oakland 
streak.
  I would like to thank my colleagues for their support of this 
resolution, especially my cosponsors, the gentlewoman from California 
(Ms. Lee), the gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo), the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Calvert), the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Herger), the gentleman from California (Mr. Matsui), the gentlewoman 
from California (Mrs. Napolitano), the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Radanovich), the gentleman from California (Mr. Sherman), the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Stark), the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. 
Tauscher), the gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas), the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Thompson), the gentleman from California (Mr. 
McKeon), and the gentleman from California (Mr. Baca).
  Mr. Speaker, it is still 5 to 3. The A's are winning. The streak is 
alive.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may 
consume to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee). I do not know if 
she has had a 20 and 0 record, but I know that she has won many 
victories for the people of Oakland and for people all over the 
country.
  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, first I want to thank the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis), the very distinguished member of the Committee on 
Government Reform, for yielding me this time and for his leadership on 
so many issues that we are tackling here in this House.
  Also I want to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Ose) for his 
efforts in bringing this resolution to commend my hometown team of the 
Oakland A's to the floor today.
  This is a bipartisan effort; and, Mr. Speaker, as a Democratic 
sponsor of this resolution, I rise today to congratulate the amazing 
Oakland A's, the players, the management, and the staff, for setting 
the Major League

[[Page H6859]]

Baseball record for the longest winning streak by an American League 
baseball team.
  On September 4, 2002, the Oakland A's set the major league record for 
the longest winning streak by an American League baseball team by 
winning 20 consecutive games. Prior to this accomplishment, the record 
for longest winning streak by an American League baseball team had 
stood for 55 years. Only two major league baseball teams have won 20 or 
more consecutive games, this year's Oakland Athletics with 20 
consecutive wins, and, it is my understanding, the 1935 Chicago Cubs 
with 21 consecutive wins.
  During the winning streak, the Athletics outscored their opponents 
141 to 65 and trailed their opponents in only 10 of the 180 innings of 
the streak. The key to any successful baseball team is of course its 
pitching staff. During the streak and for the duration of the season, 
Oakland's pitchers have been nothing short of spectacular. During the 
streak, Cy Young hopeful Barry Zito, Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder, and Corey 
Lidle pitched into the seventh inning in all six of the games, won as a 
part of the streak, and were credited with 15 of the 20 consecutive 
wins.
  The phenomenal success of the Oakland Athletics can also be 
attributed to the team's clutch hitting. While the A's have a different 
hero really every night, Miguel Tejada's emerging superstardom and 
really uncanny knack for late-game heroics has led the A's and truly 
energized the fans. The A's began the streak four and a half games out 
of first place in the Western Division of the American League and just 
concluded the regular session four games ahead of second place Anaheim. 
Remarkably, the A's accomplishments and continued success has come with 
the third-lowest payroll in the major leagues. Who said that low-budget 
teams cannot compete and really win?
  The success of the A's can also be attributed to the managerial 
skills of Art Howe and the unique ability of general manager Billy 
Beane to build a perennial contender with a very limited budget.
  The winning streak and success of the Oakland A's has brought 
together people from all walks of life and has really brought a new-
found excitement to Oakland fans and the community. The accomplishments 
of the Oakland Athletics organization really extend far beyond their 
20-game winning streak or their American League West title. For 
example, the Oakland A's community fund supports charitable 
organizations in their efforts to improve educational programs, aid to 
the underprivileged. They assist in crime and drug prevention and 
service to children, service to our senior citizens and those who work 
to improve the quality of life for people throughout the Bay Area.
  On September 15, another example, the Oakland Athletics organization 
hosted their fourth annual Breast Cancer Awareness Day and raised over 
$100,000 for the cause. The athletic scholarship programs, disaster 
support fund, Little A's, and A's Amigos are just a few examples of how 
the athletics organization is really truly involved in our entire 
community. The accomplishments and contributions of the Oakland 
Athletics organization both on and off the field are worthy of 
recognition. So today I would like to congratulate the A's and its fans 
on a truly remarkable record-breaking regular session.
  Mr. Speaker, does the gentleman from California (Mr. Ose) know are we 
still in the third inning with the A's up?
  Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, will the gentlewoman yield?
  Ms. LEE. I yield to the gentleman from California.
  Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I do not know. My last report is 3 to 5 A's. Go 
A's.
  Ms. LEE. The fans are rooting and cheering them on to win their real 
first post-season game. I know that I am not alone in wishing the 
amazing A's the very best in their race for the pennant. Mr. Speaker, I 
want to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Ose) and the gentleman 
from Illinois (Mr. Davis) for yielding me the time.
  Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I 
am pleased and delighted that Oakland has had such a great run. It is 
also great to know that Chicago teams, although quite aways back, 1905 
and 1936, at least we were there at that time; but I certainly 
congratulate Oakland fans, the team, its management.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank my distinguished colleague from 
California for bringing this resolution to the floor. We congratulate 
the Oakland Athletics for the terrific 2002 season highlighted by their 
20-game winning streak. I urge all Members to support this resolution.
  Mr. POMBO. Mr. Speaker, growing up in Tracy, California, I have been 
a fan of the Oakland Athletics ever since they first came to Oakland in 
1968. I was 7 years old at the time.
  I remember their World Series Championship three-peat teams from 
1972, 1973 and 1974, which featured players like Vida Blue, Bert 
Campaneris, Rollie Fingers, Jim ``Catfish'' Hunter, Joe Rudi and a 
young ``Mr. October,'' Reggie Jackson. Being from the northern part of 
California's Central Valley, just over the Altamont Pass, the fact that 
their 1974 World Series Championship came by defeating the Los Angeles 
Dodgers made the victory even sweeter.
  And what baseball fan can forget the 1989 World Series, the ``Bay 
Bridge Series'' between Oakland and the San Francisco Giants? A great 
Oakland team, led by Jose Canseco, Dennis Eckersley, Rickey Henderson, 
Mark McGwire, and Dave Stewart prevailed in that series, but it was an 
earthquake that registered 7.1 on the Richter Scale, and the area 
uniting in response to the emergency situation, that we remember best.
  Today, Mr. Chairman, as the Major League Baseball postseason begins, 
I am proud that the House of Representatives is taking a moment to 
recognize the latest accomplishment by the Oakland A's, their amazing 
20 game-winning streak. And I am proud to be an original cosponsor of 
this resolution honoring this great team.
  Mr. Chairman, winning 20 games in a row is no fluke. It takes a 
sustained effort both by the pitching staff and batting line up to win 
20 in a row. I'm proud to say that the fearsome Oakland starting 
pitching staff, Barry Zito, Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder and Corey Lidle won 
15 of the 20 games in the streak.
  At the plate, the A's showed a never say die attitude, with shortstop 
Miguel Tejada and first baseman Scott Hatterberg each hitting an RBI at 
the final at bat of the game, winning the game and keeping the streak 
alive. This streak is the longest in American League history, second 
only to the 1935 Chicago Cubs' 21 game-winning streak. As we enter 
baseball's post season, the 20 game-winning streak serves notice to the 
other teams in the playoffs that the Oakland A's are a team to be 
reckoned with.
  I congratulate Manager Art Howe, General Manager Billy Beane and the 
entire Oakland Athletics organization.
  Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Shimkus). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Sullivan) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 530.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________