[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Page 21019]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  IN RECOGNITION OF THE ANAHEIM ANGELS

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I come before my colleagues today 
to offer my congratulations to the Anaheim Angels on their American 
League Championship Series victory. The Angels 13 to 5 win on October 
13 gives Anaheim its first World Series berth in its 42-year history, a 
dream come true for Angels' fans around the country.
  Throughout the 2002 season, the Angels have demonstrated the grit, 
dedication and focus that it takes to become champions. Baseball fans 
across the Nation have fallen in love with this team, not only because 
of its winning ways, but because of how it wins. It is only appropriate 
that the Angels' hard work be rewarded with a chance at a World Series 
Championship.
  The road to the World Series was not easy for the Anaheim Angels. 
Making the playoffs as a wildcard team, nobody expected the Angels to 
win. When the team matched up against the perennial favorite New York 
Yankees in the first round of the playoffs, the odds against them grew 
even greater. However, against all odds, and contrary to the experts 
who said they could not win, the Anaheim Angels went out and proved 
everyone wrong.
  On the strength of a record-tying inning, and a three home-run night 
by second baseman Adam Kennedy, the Angels scored 10 runs in the 
seventh inning to beat a determined Minnesota Twins team. This come-
from-behind win epitomizes the heart of the Angels organization, not 
only this year but throughout its storied history, a history that came 
full circle when Jackie Autry, widow of the Angels founder and owner 
and cowboy legend Gene Autry, presented the team with the League 
Championship trophy.
  The Anaheim Angels symbolize what makes team sports great. The team 
proved that you do not need the biggest stars or the highest payroll to 
achieve the greatest of goals. I wish the Angels the best of luck in 
the World Series, and, on behalf of all the fans, I thank the team for 
what has already been one of the most memorable baseball seasons 
ever.

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