[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 152 (Wednesday, October 12, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1825]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                           MR. KEVIN GRYBOSKI

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LOU BARLETTA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 12, 2011

  Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Kevin Gryboski for his 
lifetime of outstanding athleticism, and on his acceptance into the 
Plains Sports Hall of Fame in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
  Mr. Gryboski is a graduate of Bishop Hoban High School and Wilkes 
University. He began his baseball career in Plains with a Little League 
championship in 1984. He was also selected first-team All-State and top 
pitcher in the state in 1992 while playing for the Plains American 
Legion Baseball team. While at Bishop Hoban, Mr. Gryboski showed his 
talents on the field, as he was named an all-star in 1990 and 1991, and 
he also played basketball for the Argents.
  Mr. Gryboski continued to show his talents during his time at Wilkes 
University, where he participated in both baseball and basketball. On 
the mound, he was named pitcher for the 1994 Middle Atlantic Conference 
championship team. To this day, he holds the Colonels' all-time record 
for complete games, and he has been inducted into the Wilkes University 
Athletic Hall of Fame.
  Mr. Gryboski is an inspiration to many student-athletes because he 
showed the importance of education. In 1994, he was drafted by the 
Cincinnati Reds, but he deferred signing so he could finish earning his 
degree. He had truly ended up with the best of both worlds, as in 1995 
he had his degree and signed with the Seattle Mariners, where he played 
until 2001. He was traded to the Atlanta Braves in 2002. His career 
also took him to the Texas Rangers, the Washington Nationals, the 
Pittsburgh Pirates, and finally to the San Francisco Giants in 2008 
before he retired after a shoulder injury. He pitched in 190 regular-
season games and 13 post-season games, and he helped the Braves win a 
National League East championship.
  Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to commend Mr. Kevin Gryboski, and speak 
for the members of his hometown in appreciation of his gifts and 
abilities.

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