[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 156 (Tuesday, October 16, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2145]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN HONOR OF THE 2007 SACRAMENTO RIVER CATS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 16, 2007

  Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, I rise in recognition of the 2007 
Sacramento River Cats, the champions of the 2007 Pacific Coast League 
and winners of the Triple-A Championship. I ask all of my colleagues to 
join with me in honoring this excellent achievement.
  The River Cats remarkable playoff run began when they clinched the 
Pacific Coast League Southern Division by finishing the regular season 
with a record of 84-60. Despite falling behind two games to none 
against Salt Lake City in the first round of the playoffs. The River 
Cats came back to win the next three games. Using that positive 
momentum, the River Cats quickly beat the New Orleans Zephyrs in three 
games, winning the Pacific Coast League title for the third time in 5 
years. The series final game was seen before a spirited and soldout 
crowd of 14,414 fans at Sacramento's Raley Field. During this 
impressive playoff run, the River Cats strung together seven straight 
playoff victories to end their season. The final victory came against 
the Richmond Braves in the second annual Bricktown Showdown. By 
defeating the International League Champion in the one game playoff, 
Sacramento was able to lay their claim as outright Triple-A champions.
  This year's Sacramento River Cats team exhibited resilience in the 
face of adversity. Despite continually loosing players to their parent 
affiliate, Major League Baseball's Oakland A's, to replenish their 
injured roster, the River Cats overcame more then 180 roster changes to 
win the championship. This meant that they accomplished the feat by 
receiving contributions from numerous and sometimes unlikely sources. 
No one epitomized this more then Nick Blasi, who spent much of the 
season with Class-A Stockton before becoming a playoff catalyst and the 
Pacific Coast League's Series MVP. Blasi hit a remarkable .457 in the 
playoffs.
  Throughout this roster shuffle, every member of the 2007 River Cats 
demonstrated outstanding commitment to team play and hard work. Manager 
Tony DeFrancesco once again was a steady mentor for his young and ever 
changing roster. The River Cats featured some of baseball's brightest 
prospects who are destined to become the stars of tomorrow. The roster 
was anchored by contributions from recently promoted major leaguers: 
Daric Barton, Kurt Suzuki and Santiago Casilla, as well as prospects 
Jason Perry, J.J. Furmaniak and Brad Knox.
  Under the leadership of President and CEO Art Savage, the River Cats 
players reaffirmed the front office's commitment to the people of 
Sacramento. On the Opening Day of the season, the River Cats unveiled 
the Mario Encarnacion Humanitarian Award which will annually honor a 
young student athlete who shows a commitment to his or her teammates 
and classmates. Furthermore, the River Cats Foundation has been 
providing support to Sacramento non-profits that assist with youth and 
family activities. The River Cats commitment to the community was 
reciprocated by the Sacramento fans, as the River Cats led the Pacific 
Coast League in attendance for an astounding 8th year in a row. 710,000 
fans attended River Cats 71 home contests this year, and since 
beginning play at Raley Field in 2000, the River Cats have drawn over 
6,000,000 fans.

  Madam Speaker, now that the Sacramento River Cats have concluded 
their championship season, I am honored to pay tribute to the many hard 
working men and women of the River Cats organization who brought so 
much joy and pride to the people of Sacramento. Their successes are 
highly commendable. I ask all my colleagues to join me in celebrating 
the River Cats 2007 championship season.

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