[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 25295-25296]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          IN RECOGNITION OF THE 2003 NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. E. CLAY SHAW, JR.

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 20, 2003

  Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Major League 
Baseball's 2003 National League Champions, the Florida Marlins.

[[Page 25296]]

Earning the reputation of a team that does not quit or tire, the 
Marlins will now compete in their second World Series in only 10 short 
years. Down 3 games to 1 to the San Francisco Giants, the Marlins 
fought their way back earning two thrilling victories at home to the 
delight of thousands of South Florida fans. Many will never forget Game 
4 of the National League Division Series where the Giants and Marlins 
battled back and forth to finally conclude on a spectacular play at 
home plate. Thanks to the solid hands of catcher Ivan ``Pudge'' 
Rodriquez, the Marlins were on their way to face the Chicago Cubs in 
the National League Championship Series.
  The National League Championship Series garnered the excitement and 
thrill baseball fans have not witnessed in some time. Playing in famed 
Wrigley Field, the Marlins took Game 1 and headed home to the friendly 
confines of Pro Player Stadium with a split in the series. Games 3 and 
4 went the way of the Cubs resulting in a 3 to 1 deficit that looked 
monumental to overcome. However, under the leadership of Manager Jack 
McKeon and behind the arm of pitcher Josh Beckett, the Marlins and 
Beckett gave baseball fans an exciting two-hit, complete game shutout 
sending the series back to Chicago. Down 3 games to 2, the Marlin 
players were never swayed from their sheer competitive spirit and 
gamesmanship. With the undaunting task of facing Cubs ace Mark Prior, 
the Marlins battled the Cubs the entire game. However, with one out in 
the top of the eighth inning, a World Series berth seemed out of reach. 
Throughout the 2003 regular season and the postseason to date, the 
Marlins have fought back when trailing an opposing team. Game 6 was no 
different. In a span of 10 minutes, the Marlins had turned Game 6 from 
being down 3-0, to leading 8-3 due to the solid hitting of men like 
Juan Pierre, Pudge Rodriquez, Miguel Cabrera, Jeff Conine, Derek Lee, 
and utility fielder Mike Mordecai. The thrilling series was now 
deadlocked 3 games apiece.
  Last night's Game 7 is every fan's post-
season dream. Two teams tied and playing with everything on the line 
with the chance of being crowned National League Champions and a trip 
to the fall classic. As we all know, the Marlins came out swinging 
against Cubs star pitcher Kerry Wood. Despite losing a lead, the 
Marlins continued their case of consistent and timely hitting. In the 
end, the Marlins once again shocked the baseball world.
  Mr. Speaker, this Marlins fan congratulates Chairman and CEO Jeffrey 
Loria, Skipper Jack McKeon, the Marlins coaching staff, MVP Pudge 
Rodriguez, each player and the entire Marlins organization and fans on 
a wonderful National League Series and much luck in the World Series.

                          ____________________