[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24265]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING TOM GOODWIN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2008

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today along with Congressman 
Radanovich, to congratulate Tom Goodwin upon his induction into the 
Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame. Mr. Goodwin will be honored at the 50th 
anniversary enshrinement dinner of the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame on 
Thursday, November 6, 2008.
  Tom Goodwin excelled at every level of baseball which was highlighted 
by 14 years in the major leagues. He was so fast that he turned 
groundballs hit to the left side into infield singles, which excited 
both teammates and fans, and frustrated opponents. After starring at 
Central High School in Fresno, California, he energized Bob Bennett's 
California State University, Fresno, teams for 3 seasons, topped by the 
1989 campaign when he was named an All-American, the Big West 
Conference Player of the Year and the Bulldog's Male Athlete of the 
Year. A year earlier, Mr. Goodwin played in the College World Series 
and experienced Olympic glory as a center fielder on the gold-medal-
winning U.S. team in Seoul. He left California State University, 
Fresno, as a two-time NCAA stolen-base champion. He was the Bulldog's 
career stolen-base leader with 164 and is among the school's Top 10 in 
many season, and career, offensive categories.
  Drafted in the first round by the Los Angeles Dodgers, Mr. Goodwin 
reached the major leagues in just his second season and became a 
regular in 1995 with the Kansas City Royals; hitting .288, with 50 
stolen bases. He would go on to steal 50 or more bases during 4 
seasons, with a high of 66 during one season. He finished his career 
with a total of 360 stolen bases. His career batting average is .268, 
with 636 runs and 284 runs batted in. Mr. Goodwin's handling of the bat 
and commitment to winning is illustrated by twice leading the American 
League in sacrifice bunts. He played in 7 postseasons with the Texas 
Rangers, Chicago Cubs and reached the World Series in 2002 with the 
Giants.
  Madam Speaker, we rise today to commend and congratulate Tom Goodwin 
upon his achievements and induction into the Fresno Athletic Hall of 
Fame. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Goodwin 
congratulations on his many accomplishments.

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