[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 180 (Wednesday, November 14, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6966-S6967]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 687--CONGRATULATING THE BOSTON RED SOX ON WINNING THE 
                           2018 WORLD SERIES

  Ms. WARREN (for herself, Mr. Markey, Mr. Whitehouse, Mrs. Shaheen, 
Ms. Hassan, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. King, Mr. Sanders, Mr. 
Leahy, Mr. Reed, and Ms. Collins) submitted the following resolution; 
which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation:

                              S. Res. 687

       Whereas, on October 28, 2018, the Boston Red Sox won the 
     2018 World Series by defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers;
       Whereas the Los Angeles Dodgers demonstrated sportsmanship, 
     skill, and perseverance;
       Whereas the Los Angeles Dodgers are recognized for their 
     outstanding effort and success throughout the 2018 baseball 
     season, posting a record of 92-71 and winning their second 
     National League pennant in as many years;
       Whereas Boston's victory marks its fourth World Series 
     title in 15 years and its ninth title in the treasured and 
     beloved Red Sox team's 118-year history.
       Whereas the Red Sox won the team's ninth World Series title 
     on the 100-year anniversary of its fifth championship in 
     1918;
       Whereas the City of Boston convincingly cements its legacy 
     as ``Titletown, USA'' after winning its eleventh major 
     professional sports championship since the turn of the 
     century;
       Whereas the Red Sox are 16-3 in World Series games in the 
     new millennium;
       Whereas the Red Sox were excellent on the road this 
     postseason, winning 7 of 8 games away from Fenway Park and 
     clinching the World Series title on the road for the fourth 
     time in franchise history;
       Whereas the Red Sox players and staff showed the utmost 
     skill, heart, and grit through the entire regular season and 
     postseason, winning the American League Division Series, the 
     American League Championship Series, and the World Series;
       Whereas the 2018 Boston Red Sox stake a claim as one of the 
     greatest teams in baseball history, finishing the regular 
     season with 108 wins, and bringing the team's season total to 
     119 wins with an 11-3 postseason record;
       Whereas the Red Sox dominated the defending World Champion 
     Houston Astros and two of baseball's signature franchises--
     including their bitter rival New York Yankees--by an 
     aggregate score of 84-51 in the postseason on their way to 
     winning the world title;
       Whereas the Red Sox became the first 100-win team in Major 
     League Baseball history to defeat two other 100-win teams en 
     route to winning the World Series;
       Whereas the Red Sox became the first team ever to defeat 
     both of the previous year's World Series teams in the same 
     postseason;
       Whereas Red Sox manager Alex Cora became the fifth manager 
     in Major League Baseball history to lead his team to the 
     World Series title in his first season as a manager, and the 
     first Puerto Rican manager to reach and to win the World 
     Series;
       Whereas, while negotiating his contract with the Red Sox in 
     October 2017, Alex Cora requested that the team fly a plane 
     full of supplies to Puerto Rico to assist with recovery from 
     Hurricane Maria, and in January 2018 the Red Sox chartered a 
     JetBlue flight for Cora, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, Red Sox 
     players Rick Porcello, Chris Sale, and Christian Vazquez, and 
     other Red Sox personnel to distribute supplies to hundreds of 
     families in Alex Cora's hometown of Caguas, Puerto Rico;
       Whereas the 2018 World Series, with the Boston Red Sox 
     managed by Alex Cora and the Los Angeles Dodgers managed by 
     Dave Roberts, marks the first time two minority managers have 
     led the two World Series teams;
       Whereas Alex Cora and Dave Roberts both played on World 
     Series-winning Red Sox teams, in 2007 and 2004, respectively;
       Whereas Steve Pearce, who hit three home runs and drove in 
     seven runs in the final two games of the series, and who grew 
     up as a Red Sox fan even though he was raised in Florida, was 
     recognized as Most Valuable Player of the 2018 World Series;
       Whereas Red Sox ace Chris Sale, who won 12 games with just 
     a 2.11 earned run average in a spectacular regular season, 
     made five postseason appearances, including Game 5 of the 
     World Series, when he struck out the side in the ninth inning 
     to clinch the title;
       Whereas pitcher David Price ``holds all the cards now,'' 
     winning his last three playoff starts, including the series-
     clinchers in the American League Championship Series and the 
     World Series, both on short rest;

[[Page S6967]]

       Whereas outfielder Mookie Betts, who on the field produced 
     another season worthy of the Most Valuable Player award, also 
     set high standards off the field through his conduct and 
     efforts to feed the homeless in the City of Boston;
       Whereas designated hitter J.D. Martinez proved the bright 
     lights and biggest stage were the perfect setting for his 
     talents and character, consistently producing as one of the 
     best hitters in baseball;
       Whereas second baseman Brock Holt made history in Game 3 of 
     the American League Championship Series by becoming the first 
     player ever to hit for the cycle in the postseason;
       Whereas the Red Sox outfield of Jackie Bradley Jr., Mookie 
     Betts, and Andrew Benintendi played with remarkable skill and 
     exuberance during the 2018 season and provided stellar 
     defense, including multiple highlight-reel plays during the 
     postseason;
       Whereas pitcher Nathan Eovaldi compiled six incredible 
     innings in relief during the longest game in World Series 
     history, preserving the Red Sox pitching staff for the final 
     two wins and receiving a standing ovation from his teammates 
     during manager Alex Cora's late-night post-game speech;
       Whereas the Red Sox bullpen exceeded expectations in the 
     2018 postseason, thanks in part to the emergence of Ryan 
     Brasier as an effective set-up man after pitching in Japan 
     last season, the continued success of Matt Barnes despite a 
     hip injury near the end of the regular season, and the 
     strategic use of starters Nathan Eovaldi, Rick Porcello, 
     David Price, Eduardo Rodriguez, and Chris Sale pitching in 
     relief;
       Whereas reliever Joe Kelly struck out 10 of 22 batters over 
     six World Series innings of relief in high-pressure 
     situations;
       Whereas Craig Kimbrel was one of the best closers in 
     baseball in 2018, amassing 42 saves and an earned run average 
     of 2.74, and showed grit and determination as he battled 
     through nine postseason appearances, improving at each 
     successive stage of the playoffs;
       Whereas the Red Sox organization and players supported 
     Craig Kimbrel as he missed spring training caring for his 
     infant daughter as she underwent and recovered from heart 
     surgery;
       Whereas the 2018 Boston Red Sox were largely made up of 
     homegrown talent and were the most homegrown Boston 
     championship club this century;
       Whereas the Boston Red Sox were led to the World Series by 
     the determination of every Red Sox player this season, 
     including Matt Barnes, Andrew Benintendi, Mookie Betts, 
     Xander Bogaerts, Jackie Bradley Jr., Ryan Brasier, Rafael 
     Devers, Nathan Eovaldi, Heath Hembree, Brock Holt, Joe Kelly, 
     Craig Kimbrel, Ian Kinsler, Sandy Leon, J.D. Martinez, Mitch 
     Moreland, Eduardo Nunez, Steve Pearce, Drew Pomeranz, Rick 
     Porcello, David Price, Eduardo Rodriguez, Chris Sale, Blake 
     Swihart, and Christian Vazquez;
       Whereas Red Sox owners John Henry and Tom Werner deserve 
     credit for building on the success of the 2004, 2007, and 
     2013 World Championship teams, and Red Sox president and 
     chief executive officer Sam Kennedy and president of baseball 
     operations Dave Dombrowski deserve credit for their roles in 
     continuing the team's remarkable string of success;
       Whereas the Boston Red Sox have been serving charities 
     throughout New England, including the ``Jimmy Fund'' of the 
     Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for 65 years and joining the 
     fight against cancer; and
       Whereas the Fenway Faithful and Red Sox Nation thank all 
     members of the Red Sox organization for their loyalty to the 
     city and delivery of the 2018 World Series title: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates--
       (A) the Boston Red Sox for once again bringing the World 
     Series title back to Boston, and the players, manager, 
     coaches, support staff, and owners whose dedication, 
     commitment, and spirit made this season a historic success; 
     and
       (B) the Los Angeles Dodgers for their accomplishments and 
     dedication during the 2018 season and in winning the National 
     League Championship; and
       (2) directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit an 
     enrolled copy of this resolution to--
       (A) Red Sox manager Alex Cora;
       (B) Red Sox principal owner John Henry; and
       (C) Red Sox chairman Tom Werner.

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