[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 150 (Tuesday, November 19, 2002)]
[House]
[Page H9032]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATING WORLD SERIES BASEBALL CHAMPIONS, THE ANAHEIM ANGELS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Cox) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. COX. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take the time of the House of 
Representatives to bring to our attention the thrilling victory of the 
Anaheim Angels in the World Series. Just last week, this House approved 
a resolution, which I authored and which was cosponsored by the 
congressional delegation from Orange County, California, commending the 
Anaheim Angels. That resolution, not surprisingly, passed unanimously.
  I would like to just take the time that we did not have, because of 
the press of business at that moment, to describe a little bit of what 
went on in the run-up to the World Series and just what an 
extraordinary group of men won this championship baseball series; what 
an extraordinary group of men, women and children throughout Southern 
California, and I think ultimately throughout America, were behind them 
in their heroic efforts.
  I think everyone knows that the Anaheim Angels had a rough start to 
their season. They started out losing 14 of their first 20 games. Now, 
a lot of us here in the political line of work, a lot of people who 
watch baseball as an avocation for sports, understand what it is like 
to get behind the 8-ball, what it is like to know that not only are you 
not on top of the heap, but you are way behind, and nobody expects you 
to win. This did not hold back the Anaheim Angels in the end one wit. 
In fact, it was ultimately the source of their strength.
  They came from behind not just at the beginning of the season to 
overcome this 14 out of 20 deficit, but time after time after time when 
they were behind in even the late innings of baseball games. That is 
what kind of grit and determination this team had that put them on top 
throughout the playoffs and ultimately throughout the best of seven in 
the World Series. That is why we were all so proud in this House of 
Representatives to congratulate the winning team in this year's World 
Series, because they are emblematic of what is so great about American 
sport and, ultimately, about American character, this never-give-up, 
never-say-die attitude.
  As a regular fan of the Angels, particularly because my kids are so 
inspired by Angels baseball and such baseball fans and players 
themselves, I could not have had more fun this season. I attended a lot 
of Angels' games, starting with their first home game and going 
throughout the season, ultimately winding up with that exceptional 
playoff series against the New York Yankees, then against the Minnesota 
Twins, and finally against the San Francisco Giants.
  I do not think that there is much in baseball that can compare to it, 
particularly since in game six of the World Series we had the greatest 
comeback in World Series history. Again, just so typical of the grit 
and determination of this Angels team, coming from behind time and time 
and time again.
  The players on this team work hard. They play the game the way it 
should be played. They sacrificed their individual ambitions for the 
good of the team. There is so much that we can all take away from this, 
so much to learn about what makes success. They did their jobs with 
dignity.
  The spirit of the team is captured on the words of the ``Thunder 
Sticks'' that were used so often during the World Series, ``Yes, we 
can!'' It is as good for everybody in America as it was for the fans of 
the Anaheim Angels this year.
  Nobody can forget the ``Rally Monkey.'' But the rally monkey was 
really a way for the players to inspire and honor their team, because 
this was all about the team. This was all about the individual players 
and how they worked together and contributed to that overall effort.
  Nobody can forget how Tim Salmon came to the plate in game two to hit 
two home runs, giving the Angels a crucial home victory before the 
series moved to San Francisco for three games.
  Nobody can forget how Scott Spiezio hit a three-run homer which 
brought the Angels to within two in the bottom of the 7th inning in 
game six.
  Nobody can forget Darin Erstad and his long ball in the eighth 
inning, which carried the Angels to within one run of the Giants; and 
Troy Glaus, who sent a double into left field, scoring the tying run 
and the go-ahead run that gave the Angels a six-to-five win.
  Each one of these players, a different one seemingly every time, rose 
to the occasion, and that is what made this such a team effort. There 
was David Eckstein, Garret Anderson, and all the rest of the Angels 
whose outstanding play put away game seven.
  There was always, at the most exciting moment, Troy Percival to close 
the game. Percival's remarkable pitching has already become the stuff 
of World Series legend. And the Anaheim Angels of 2002 will go down in 
history as a team built on character and on heart.
  Sure, we have our Gold Glove winners, Ben Molina, the catcher; Darin 
Erstad, the center fielder. Sure, we have our stars. In fact, 
ultimately everyone on this team was a star. But more than anything it 
was a team.

                              {time}  1300

  It was a team of champions. With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield the 
balance of my time to the gentle monkey from California.

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