[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 56 (Wednesday, April 9, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E562-E563]
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

                        Wednesday, April 9, 2008

  Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, as the Sacramento River Cats 2008 home 
opener approaches, I rise in tribute of their 2007 season in which they 
won the Pacific Coast League and the Triple-A Championship. The River 
Cats capped their season off in impressive fashion winning 7 straight 
playoff games to clinch the title. Upon sweeping the New Orleans 
Zephyrs to win the Pacific Coast League championship, Sacramento laid 
their claim as outright Triple-A champions by defeating the Richmond 
Braves in the second annual Bricktown Showdown, a one game playoff 
between tbe Pacific Coast Champion and the International League 
Champion. I ask all of my colleagues to join with me in saluting the 
triumphant 2007 Sacramento River Cats.
  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 playoff's first round, 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 sellout crowd of 
14,414 fans at Sacramento's Raley Field.
  The 2007 Sacramento River Cats exuded resilience in the face of 
adversity. Despite being a revolving door that allowed their parent 
affiliate, Major League Baseball's Oakland A's, to replenish their 
injured roster, the River

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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 than Nick Blasi, who spent much of the season with Class-A 
Stockton before becoming a playoff catalyst and the Pacitic Coast 
League's Series MVP. Blasi hit a remarkable .457 in the playoff.
  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 the steady mentor for his young and 
ever changing roster that featured some of baseball's brightest 
prospects who are destined to become the stars of tomorrow. The roster 
was anchored by contributions from now 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 offices commitment to the people of 
Sacramento. On the Opening Day of the season, the River Cats unveiled 
their 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 nonprofits 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. Around 
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, as the River Cats prepare for another successful 
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 one in celebrating the River Cats 2007 
championship season.

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