[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 25177]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING THE FLORIDA MARLINS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETER DEUTSCH

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 17, 2003

  Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Florida 
Marlins on winning the 2003 National League Pennant. On October 15th, 
they dismantled the Chicago Cubs in Game 7 of the National League 
Championship Series, completing a thrilled comeback in a series they 
once trailed three games to one. Even when down to their last few outs, 
the Marlins carne together and rallied back to earn the right to play 
on baseball's highest stage; the World Series.
  It should be noted, Mr. Speaker, that at the beginning of the season 
the Florida Marlins were not expected to be a factor in the postseason. 
Underestimated, overlooked, and ignored, the Marlins proceeded through 
the dog days of summer and down the stretch with courage and grit, and 
finishing the season with the best record in Major League Baseball 
since May.
  Led by 72-year-old manager Jack McKeon, who took over the team in May 
when it held a losing record, the Marlins have relied on their 
tenacious young pitching and powerful, fast-paced offense. Josh 
Beckett, 23, and Dontrelle Willis, 21, have battled with hitters all 
season and continue to dominate. The offense has been consistent all 
season with the speed of Juan Pierre, the power of Ivan ``Pudge'' 
Rodriguez, the youth and enthusiasm of Miguel Cabrera, and the 
experience of baseball veterans Mike Lowell and Jeff Conine. This group 
of young players and journeymen has come together and created a 
powerful unit to be reckoned with in the World Series.
  An expansion team in 1993, the Marlins won their first pennant in 
1997, beating the perennial power, the Atlanta Braves. They went on to 
the World Series where they defeated the Cleveland Indians in seven 
games. This year the Marlins were once again the wild card team and are 
creating the same sort of magic as they did in 1997. It is my hope that 
the Marlins will continue their winning tradition next week against the 
New York Yankees.
  Mr. Speaker, It is an honor for a team to represent their league in 
the World series. I am thrilled at the success of the Florida Marlins 
and I know that they will do their best to bring a second World Series 
title to South Florida.

                          ____________________