[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 132 (Tuesday, December 5, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2097]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE DETROIT TIGERS, 2006 AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 5, 2006

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Detroit Tigers, 
winners of Major League Baseball's American League Championship. This 
October, for the first time in 22 years, my city of Detroit, Michigan 
was represented in the World Series. After years of setbacks, 2006 
marked a turning point in the fortunes of my beloved home team.
  Just three years after the club suffered through a 119 loss season, 
the Tigers surged to the top of the major league standings in May, a 
position they did not relinquish until late September. Thanks to the 
play of veterans like left-hander Kenny Rogers and closer Todd Jones, 
the emergence of previously unestablished players Curtis Granderson, 
Brandon Inge, Craig Monroe and Marcus Thames, and the significant 
production from erstwhile All-Stars Ivan Rodriguez, Magglio Ordonez and 
Carlos Guillen, the Tigers completed an extraordinary season by facing 
the St. Louis Cardinals in the Fall Classic. While our Detroit boys 
fell short in the series, finally losing to St. Louis in 5 games, they 
made all of Michigan proud with their sportsmanship and hard work.
  Every great team needs a great leader and the Tigers are no 
exception. Last October, after a disappointing late season fade the 
Tigers hired Jim Layland to right the club's ship and under his 
brilliant leadership the Tigers roared to life. Layland, who spent the 
first 18 years of his professional baseball career in Detroit, guided 
the Tigers to a 95-67 record, the Tigers' best season since 1987. In 
doing so, he also became the seventh manager in history to win pennants 
in both the National and American Leagues. Due to his achievement this 
year he was recognized with the 2006 Manager of the Year award for the 
third time in his career. Leyland also became the third person to win 
the award in both leagues.
  Even though the Tigers did not ultimately win the World Series, in 
winning the American League Championship Series they demonstrated a 
spirit and determination that rekindled memories of the great Tiger 
teams of the past. I join both the citizens of Detroit and the great 
state of Michigan in congratulating the Detroit Tigers for their 
remarkable 2006 season.

                          ____________________