[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 160 (Thursday, October 2, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S10472]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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              SACRAMENTO RIVER CATS TRIPLE-A CHAMPIONSHIP

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I am pleased to recognize the 2008 
Minor League Triple-A baseball champions, the Sacramento River Cats.
  On September 16, 2008, the Sacramento River Cats, of the Pacific 
Coast League, PCL, defeated the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, of the 
International League, 4 to 1 in the Bricktown Showdown to become back-
to-back Triple-A champions. Sacramento is the Triple-A affiliate of the 
Oakland Athletics.
  The Sacramento River Cats finished the regular season atop the 
Pacific Coast League Southern Division with a record of 83 wins and 61 
losses. The River Cats were assisted this season by their always 
faithful fan base, which has led Triple-A in attendance for nine 
consecutive seasons.
  In the opening playoff series between the River Cats and the Salk 
Lake City Bees, the River Cats excelled by scoring 39 runs en route to 
a 3-games-to-1 series victory. The series victory demonstrated the 
River Cats' depth of talent as four starting pitchers, four relief 
pitchers, two infielders, and one outfielder were called up to the 
Oakland Athletics before the series began.
  In the Pacific Coast League Championship Series, the River Cats 
defeated the Texas Rangers Triple-A affiliate Oklahoma City Red Hawks, 
winning the series three games to one to repeat as PCL champions. 
During this series, the River Cats proved their ability to perform on 
the road by achieving two of their three victories in Oklahoma. The win 
also earned the River Cats their fourth Pacific Coast League 
Championship in the last 6 years.
  In the Triple-A championship game, River Cats manager Todd Steverson 
showcased his talented pitching staff. The River Cats used six pitchers 
who combined for nine strikeouts while only giving up a single run. The 
victory gave the Pacific Coast League all three of the Triple-A 
championships since the Triple-A championship game was reinstated 3 
years ago.
  As the River Cats' fans, players, and staff gather to celebrate this 
remarkable accomplishment, I would like to congratulate them on an 
outstanding season.

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