[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 4 (Wednesday, January 8, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E22-E23]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING MR. GEORGE ``BOOMER'' SCOTT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 8, 2014

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor one of 
baseball's greatest contributors to the game, Mr. George ``Boomer'' 
Scott. His attitude and stature did determine his altitude.
  Mr. George ``Boomer'' Scott knew pick'n cotton was not all he could 
do. The Jim Crow south prepared him for the challenges and 
opportunities that would be forthcoming. And his ability to tackle any 
task and meet any challenge was a ``God given talent.'' Many wanted 
him, the University of Oklahoma, University of California in Los 
Angeles, Michigan State University, and Jackson State University.
  In May 1962, Red Sox scout Ed Scott, recognized that God given talent 
and signed

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George ``Boomer'' Scott with the Boston Red Sox and he reported to the 
minor leagues training camp. This was during the time in which blacks 
did not receive sign-on bonuses but were eager to play the game. His 
dream to play in the major league following in the footsteps of his 
ideal, Willie Mays, came in 1965 when he made the Red Sox roster and 
opened the season on third base. During his career in major league 
baseball, George eventually met Willie Mays and played against him in 
several games.
  Mr. George ``Boomer'' Scott helped to break many barriers in major 
league baseball and set his own records to be beat. At his first rookie 
camp his talent was appreciated but not his color. Nevertheless, his 
love for the sport and determination to not return to Mississippi the 
same kept George in the race. He was not allowed to have the same 
eating and sleeping arrangements as his white baseball team mates.
  In 1966, he hit his first major league home run against the Detroit 
Tigers; while also earning the reputation as one of the greatest 
defensive first baseman to ever play in the league. Aside from that, he 
hit a homerun against Whitey Ford that is remembered as one of the 
longest homeruns in baseball history with acknowledgements coming from 
some of baseballs greatest like Mickey Mantle. In that same year, 1966, 
George was considered as one of the leagues batting leaders, hitting 
.330 earning him a slot behind Tony Oliva and Baltimore Robinson boys, 
Frank and Brooks. As a rookie his career highs and some of the best 
games ever played in baseball slated George to be ``Rookie of the 
Year'' by many of his colleagues. Baseball Hall of Famer, Rick Ferrell 
said, ``In all my years in baseball I have never seen a player have a 
debut like Scott. He's amazing.''
  In 1971 he was traded to the Milwaukee Brewer's and that became his 
career year when he won his seventh Gold Glove and recognized as 
Milwaukee's MVP. But change came in 1978 when George's career slowed 
down due to injuries. His career began to experience continuous highs 
and lows. Starting in 1979, he was traded to Kansas City and shortly 
afterwards to the New York Yankees, the Texas Rangers, and in 1980 to 
the Mexican League. A career decision was inevitable, so George decided 
to retire from major league baseball but, not his love and dedication 
to the game.
  George held many managerial positions, in both the Mexican League and 
the Independent League with such teams as Saskatoon Riot, Massachusetts 
Mad Dogs, and Rio Grande Valley White Wings of the Texas-Louisiana 
League. From 1991 to 1996, George coached at Rothbury Community 
College. He finished his managing career in baseball with the Berkshire 
Black Bears of the Northern League in 2002.
  In 2006, George was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame and the 
Mississippi Hall of Fame. Sure, career lows are expected just as 
careers highs are preferred, but both contributed to him having a great 
baseball career. We are thankful however, that his career highs out-
numbered his career lows helping George to earn the reputation bestowed 
upon him by his baseball colleagues, as one of the best in many 
positions of the game.
  Mr. George ``Boomer'' Scott broke barriers and set records; he had 
three sons of which he was very proud, often boasting about them to 
friends and colleagues. Dion, his oldest played professional baseball 
but is currently a principal in the Atlanta Public School District. 
George, III is in real estate in New Bedford, MA. His youngest son, 
Brian, played college baseball for Mississippi Delta Community College 
and had a batting high of over .400 in 2006 breaking his Dads record of 
.330 in 1966.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. George 
``Boomer'' Scott, one of baseball's greatest players; I am proud that 
he was a product of the Mississippi Second Congressional District. Rest 
in peace Boomer.

                          ____________________