[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 38 (Friday, March 15, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E311]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF ANDREW JASON ASHBY, RECIPIENT OF THE FRANCIS SWINGLE 
       AWARD BY THE GREATER PITTSTON FRIENDLY SONS OF ST. PATRICK

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 15, 2013

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Andrew Jason 
``Andy'' Ashby, who will receive the Francis Swingle Award of the 
Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick on the evening of March 
17, the occasion of that organization's 99th annual St. Patrick's Day 
banquet.
  As a young man, Andy Ashby attended Park Hill high school in Kansas 
City, Missouri and then played baseball for Crowder College. In 1986, 
he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Philadelphia Phillies. 
In his second start as a pitcher, against the Cincinnati Reds, he 
became part of an elite category of players by throwing an ``immaculate 
inning,'' a feat accomplished by striking out the first three batters 
of the opposing team in exactly nine pitches.
  In 1993, Andy was acquired by the new, expansion-team Colorado 
Rockies. He later became a member of the San Diego Padres and enjoyed 
the height of his career. In 1998, he helped the Padres reach the World 
Series by compiling an impressive 17-9 record. He also represented the 
Padres and the National League in the 1998 and 1999 All-Star games. 
Andy later played for both the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles 
Dodgers. He returned to San Diego before retiring from Major League 
Baseball in the mid-2000s. During his professional career he posted 98 
wins, pitched 1,810 innings and struck out over 1,100 batters. He is an 
example of how discipline and hard work can lead to success on the 
field and in life.
  Since retiring, Andy has become a part of the Heroes of the Diamond 
tour, traveling overseas several times to visit our troops in Iraq. I 
thank Andy for his community service and for serving as a role model 
and inspiration to many young Americans, and I offer my congratulations 
on this momentous occasion.

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