[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 17263]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO MIKE LOWELL

 Mr. LeMIEUX. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to one of 
baseball's great athletes. At the end of this baseball season, 
Floridian Mike Lowell will hang up his glove and bat and retire. From 
hitting a single his first time up at bat in the Major Leagues to being 
named Most Valuable Player of the 2007 World Series, Lowell has proven 
his excellence and consistency on the field throughout his career.
  Mike Lowell began his 13-year professional career with the New York 
Yankees but soon returned to his home State to play for the Florida 
Marlins where he was an integral part of the 2003 Championship team. 
Having grown up in Miami, he had the opportunity to play in front of 
family and friends. Later, he joined the Boston Red Sox, where he spent 
the rest of his career.
  His time as a baseball player did not transpire without obstacles. 
Months into his first season with the Marlins, Lowell was diagnosed 
with testicular cancer. He missed 2 months of the 1999 season while he 
underwent treatment. But he survived and went on to have a tremendously 
successful career.
  Both on and off the field Mike Lowell has gained the respect of his 
fellow players. With his two World Series rings, four-time All-Star 
participation, Gold Glove, more than 220 home runs and nearly 1,000 
RBIs, he is a player to be admired. He has also proven his leadership 
in the clubhouse by utilizing his bilingual background to bridge the 
gap between English-speaking and Spanish-speaking players.
  Many young boys dream of growing up to play baseball in the Major 
Leagues. Mike Lowell achieved that dream and is an inspiration for 
today's youth to continue to reach for their goals. While his career as 
a professional ballplayer will soon come to a close, Mike Lowell will 
always be remembered as one of baseball's greatest. I wish him many 
years of happiness with his wife Bertha and his two children, Alexis 
and Anthony.

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