[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 50 (Monday, December 17, 2001)]
[Pages 1784-1785]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Honoring the 2001 World Series Champion Arizona Diamondbacks

December 13, 2001

    The President. We were looking for a little entertainment for 
tonight's Christmas party--[laughter]--but we didn't find it. [Laughter]
    I want to welcome the mighty Diamondbacks to the White House. It 
didn't take you long to get here. I'm developing a severe case of trophy 
envy. [Laughter] We were lucky to get out of last place with the 
Rangers, and here you are--thanks, in part, to you. But I do want to 
congratulate you all.
    First, let me say welcome to the Arizona delegation. I'm glad to see 
the Senator and Members of the United States Congress here. Thank you 
all for coming.
    It's an amazing year, obviously, for our country. And the World 
Series couldn't have come at a better time. It gave the American people 
a chance to think about something other than the war. And what a 
fabulous World Series it was.
    I want to thank--I want to congratulate Bob Brenly, rookie of the 
year. [Laughter] What a great job he did. [Laughter] I still

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think I remember meeting you after throwing out that ball. I was about 5 
feet off the ground; I went with kind of a rising slider. [Laughter] But 
it was an amazing experience, and Bob was there with Joe Torre. And I 
really felt proud to be an American at that moment. I know the players 
did, as well.
    I want to congratulate the vice president and general manager, Joe 
Garagiola, Jr.--I'm always suspicious of guys who's got a famous father. 
[Laughter] And Rich Dozer; and of course, Jerry, I want to congratulate 
you and the ownership group; and all the great players.
    The players gave us a fabulous Series. I can't think of a better way 
to end a World Series, particularly in a time of national need, than in 
the bottom of the ninth, in the seventh game--everybody watching in the 
country, people cheering one way or the other, such joy and jubilation.
    So I want to thank the players. I also particularly want to thank 
the players for going to Ground Zero. I know Matt Williams' quote was 
one that caught my attention, when he said, ``We're glad to get a chance 
to shake the hands and talk to some of the true American heroes.''
    It really meant a lot to the people of New York to see the 
Diamondbacks, kind of the foe of the mighty Yankees, go to Ground Zero 
and to thank those people whose lives were hurting a lot, people who had 
spent enormous amounts of energy trying to rescue a fallen brother or 
sister because of what the enemy had done. And I really want to thank 
you all for doing that. It was a true class act; not only a great 
baseball team but you're obviously a group of really fine human beings. 
And for that the Nation is grateful, and thank you.
    God bless the players here and their families. It's a fabulous time 
of year, as you can see. The White House is just majestic in its beauty. 
It's a special honor to be the President of the United States at any 
time. It's especially a special honor to be at a time when our Nation is 
bound together for a common cause, and that's to fight and win the war 
against terror.
    So welcome to the White House, congratulations, and may God bless 
you all.

[At this point, Jerry Colangelo, Arizona Diamondbacks chairman and chief 
executive officer, made brief remarks, and pitchers Curt Schilling and 
Randy Johnson presented the President with a gift.]

    The President. Thanks. You can just stay down there, and I'll stand 
here--[laughter]--kind of like the jockey. [Laughter] Curt, thanks; I 
love the relationship you have with your son. [Inaudible] Thank you all.

Note: The President spoke at 1:50 p.m. in the East Room at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to Bob Brenly, manager, Joe 
Garagiola, Jr., vice president and general manager, Rich Dozer, 
president, and Matt Williams, infielder, Arizona Diamondbacks; and Joe 
Torre, manager, New York Yankees.