[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22089]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



           TRIBUTE TO THE WORLD CHAMPION ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN B. SHADEGG

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 8, 2001

  Mr. SHADEGG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to 
the World Champion Arizona Diamondbacks.
  The 2001 World Series has left poets and historians searching for 
ways to digest where it fits into the fabric of great sporting events 
we have witnessed in a lifetime. Unquestionably, it was the greatest 
sporting event I have ever witnessed and it's bound to have a lasting 
impression on my son who sat beside me at game seven. The 2001 World 
Series explained why they play, and why we watch.
  The world found out on Sunday night that miracles do happen, they 
just don't always happen for the New York Yankees. Sunday was the 
Arizona Diamondbacks chance to be the ``Phoenix'' rising from the ashes 
in the ninth inning.
  The Yankees three straight dramatic wins in New York supposedly had 
the Diamondbacks demoralized and beaten. It was only a matter of 
finishing the series and collecting the rings. But ``destiny'' and 
``momentum'' only go as far as your last game.
  The Diamondbacks showed tremendous talent and heart to overcome the 
magic of the Yankees comeback wins. The Yankees came to Arizona with 
seemingly insurmountable momentum. However, it evaporated in Phoenix on 
Saturday as the New Yorkers and their fans endured a 15-2 drubbing. The 
stage was now set for one of the most memorable game sevens in baseball 
history.
  The game seven pitching match up of Curt Schilling and Roger Clemens 
had all the makings of a classic duel. Both had Cy Young Award worthy 
seasons and they both dominated throughout the post season. On top of 
that, Schilling attributes his success over the past few years to a 
``talking to'' Clemens gave him. Before the game Schilling said he felt 
like he was in an essay contest with Hemingway or a ``paint-off' versus 
Picasso.
  And then, on Sunday night, after the Yankees took a 2-1 lead late and 
appeared headed to their fourth straight world title, the Diamondback 
miracle happened: The Yankees had gotten the seventh game right to 
where they wanted it, with a one-run lead and the ball in the hands of 
their phenomenal closer, Mariano Rivera. But Rivera, virtually 
unhittable at all other times, gave up four hits, two runs, the lead, 
the game and the series. The Arizona Diamondbacks beat the best to 
become the best!!!
  The Diamondback victory really comes down to the overwhelming desire 
of great baseball players to reach the pinnacle of their sport. From 
the first day of spring training, rookie manager Bob Brenly and D-Back 
players, had a goal of not just getting to the World Series but winning 
the World Series. They never looked away from it and emerged from a 
very dark moment until the light of triumph was blinding.
  While the entire Diamondback franchise--from owner Jerry Colangelo to 
third base coach Chris Spier--played a part in their World Series 
victory, I want to single out two remarkable D-Backs who will go down 
in history as the most feared one-two pitching punch in baseball. 
Congratulations Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling for being awarded Co-
MVPs of the World Series.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Arizona Diamond Backs and the New 
York Yankees for treating fans across the country to a thrilling World 
Series. Two classy teams rose to the top of both leagues this year, and 
they gave us a World Series for the ages. They gave us the pure 
entertainment of a great sport played at its highest level and got this 
country's mind off darker concerns for a couple of weeks.

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