[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 193 (Wednesday, November 3, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1188]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE ATLANTA BRAVES ORGANIZATION FOR WINNING THE 2021 MAJOR 
                      LEAGUE BASEBALL WORLD SERIES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BARRY LOUDERMILK

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 3, 2021

  Mr. LOUDERMILK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Atlanta 
Braves organization for winning the 2021 Major League Baseball World 
Series. On November 2, 2021, with a 7-0 victory in game 6 over the 
Houston Astros, the Atlanta Braves became World Series Champions for 
the first time since 1995.
  This team is an inspiration to every single Braves fan. A team of 
destiny. The team was 88-73 and was under .500 as recently as August. 
At one point in the season, the team had single digit odds to make the 
playoffs. As they seemed to hit every speed bump and roadblock along 
the way, very few believed they stood a chance; but every member of the 
team believed. Some players, such as Dansby Swanson, are locals; 
others, such as Ronald Acuna Jr., come from across the globe. Freddie 
Freeman has spent his entire career with the organization, while others 
are new to the team. Each of their families sacrificed special moments 
while the team trained and played across the Major League.
  The Braves defeated the Milwaukee Brewers, 3 games to 1, in the 
National League Division Series. The Braves then faced their foe from 
the 2020 National League Championship Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers. 
After having back to back walk-off victories in that series, the Braves 
beat the Dodgers, 4 games to 2, and won the National League 
Championship Series. Eddie Rosario, one of the newest additions to the 
Braves family, was selected as the 2021 NLCS Most Valuable Player.
  The Braves began the World Series taking a game 1 victory over the 
Houston Astros, and went on to win the series, 4 games to 2. New Braves 
legend, Jorge Soler, was selected as the 2021 World Series Most 
Valuable Player after hitting 3 home runs in the series and being the 
first player in Major League Baseball history to hit a home run in the 
first plate appearance of a World Series.
  Alex Anthopoulos joined the Braves organization in 2017 as the 
Executive Vice President and General Manager, later being elevated to 
the President of Baseball Operations. He was previously part of the Los 
Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays, and Montreal Expos. Alex 
Anthopoulos masterfully navigated the off season by adding Pablo 
Sandoval, Ehire Adrianza, Guillermo Heredia, and Charlie Morton. After 
the devasting loss of Ronald Acuna Jr. to injury, Alex Anthopoulos made 
critical additions to the roster, acquiring Joc Peterson, Adam Duvall, 
Jorge Soler, and Richard Rodriguez.
  Manager Brian Snitker has been with the Atlanta Braves organization 
since 1977, and has been a player, Minor League manager, and manager of 
the Atlanta Braves. Brian Snitker is a devoted family man and has spent 
many days away from his family mentoring players, many of whom he has 
watched grow into young men. Through his guidance, this team has become 
an inspiration to Braves fans, and to every young athlete watching them 
play.
  The Braves won the World Series with the dedication of team members: 
Freddie Freeman, Ian Anderson, Jesse Chavez, Max Fried, Luke Jackson, 
Dylan Lee, Chris Martin, Tyler Matzek, A.J. Minter, Charlie Morton, 
Will Smith, Drew Smyly, Kyle Wright, Travis d' Arnaud, William 
Contreras, Ehire Adrianza, Ozzie Albies, Orlando Arcia, Austin Riley, 
Dansby Swanson, Johan Camargo, Adam Duvall, Terrance Gore, Guillermo 
Heredia, Joc Pederson, Eddie Rosario, Jorge Soler, and Tucker Davidson.
  The Braves would not have made it to the World Series without the 
efforts of those team members playing in the regular season, such as: 
Ronald Acuna Jr., Abraham Almonte, Grant Dayton, Shane Greene, Jasseel 
De La Cruz, Yoan Lopez, Kyle Muller, Sean Newcomb, Richard Rodriguez, 
Mike Soroka, Spencer Strider, Josh Tomlin, Touki Toussaint, Jacob Webb, 
Huascar Ynoa, Chadwick Tromp, and Cristian Pache.
  I thank Braves fans everywhere, for their passion and devotion to 
this team. They showed up to cheer from the stands, and stayed to 
celebrate in the Battery at Truist Park. Without each and every fan 
across this country, this would not have been possible. I thank each 
and every team member of Truist Park, the clubhouse, Minor League 
coaching staff, and support staff. Once again, the Atlanta Braves are 
America's team.
  This is the moment that the city of Atlanta and Braves fans 
everywhere have been dreaming of for quite some time. The Atlanta 
Braves are, once again, World Series Champions! Go Braves.

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