Title: A resolution congratulating the Boston Red Sox on winning the 2018 World Series.
Policy area: Sports and Recreation

Summary:
Congratulates the Boston Red Sox for winning the World Series and the Los Angeles Dodgers for winning the National League Championship.

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 687 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 687

  Congratulating the Boston Red Sox on winning the 2018 World Series.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           November 14, 2018

Ms. Warren (for herself, Mr. Markey, Mr. Whitehouse, Mrs. Shaheen, Ms. 
 Hassan, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. King, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Leahy, 
 Mr. Reed, and Ms. Collins) submitted the following resolution; which 
 was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Congratulating the Boston Red Sox on winning the 2018 World Series.

Whereas, on October 28, 2018, the Boston Red Sox won the 2018 World Series by 
        defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers;
Whereas the Los Angeles Dodgers demonstrated sportsmanship, skill, and 
        perseverance;
Whereas the Los Angeles Dodgers are recognized for their outstanding effort and 
        success throughout the 2018 baseball season, posting a record of 92-71 
        and winning their second National League pennant in as many years;
Whereas Boston's victory marks its fourth World Series title in 15 years and its 
        ninth title in the treasured and beloved Red Sox team's 118-year 
        history;
Whereas the Red Sox won the team's ninth World Series title on the 100-year 
        anniversary of its fifth championship in 1918;
Whereas the City of Boston convincingly cements its legacy as ``Titletown, USA'' 
        after winning its eleventh major professional sports championship since 
        the turn of the century;
Whereas the Red Sox are 16-3 in World Series games in the new millennium;
Whereas the Red Sox were excellent on the road this postseason, winning 7 of 8 
        games away from Fenway Park and clinching the World Series title on the 
        road for the fourth time in franchise history;
Whereas the Red Sox players and staff showed the utmost skill, heart, and grit 
        through the entire regular season and postseason, winning the American 
        League Division Series, the American League Championship Series, and the 
        World Series;
Whereas the 2018 Boston Red Sox stake a claim as one of the greatest teams in 
        baseball history, finishing the regular season with 108 wins, and 
        bringing the team's season total to 119 wins with an 11-3 postseason 
        record;
Whereas the Red Sox dominated the defending World Champion Houston Astros and 
        two of baseball's signature franchises--including their bitter rival New 
        York Yankees--by an aggregate score of 84-51 in the postseason on their 
        way to winning the world title;
Whereas the Red Sox became the first 100-win team in Major League Baseball 
        history to defeat two other 100-win teams en route to winning the World 
        Series;
Whereas the Red Sox became the first team ever to defeat both of the previous 
        year's World Series teams in the same postseason;
Whereas Red Sox manager Alex Cora became the fifth manager in Major League 
        Baseball history to lead his team to the World Series title in his first 
        season as a manager, and the first Puerto Rican manager to reach and to 
        win the World Series;
Whereas, while negotiating his contract with the Red Sox in October 2017, Alex 
        Cora requested that the team fly a plane full of supplies to Puerto Rico 
        to assist with recovery from Hurricane Maria, and in January 2018 the 
        Red Sox chartered a JetBlue flight for Cora, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, 
        Red Sox players Rick Porcello, Chris Sale, and Christian Vazquez, and 
        other Red Sox personnel to distribute supplies to hundreds of families 
        in Alex Cora's hometown of Caguas, Puerto Rico;
Whereas the 2018 World Series, with the Boston Red Sox managed by Alex Cora and 
        the Los Angeles Dodgers managed by Dave Roberts, marks the first time 
        two minority managers have led the two World Series teams;
Whereas Alex Cora and Dave Roberts both played on World Series-winning Red Sox 
        teams, in 2007 and 2004, respectively;
Whereas Steve Pearce, who hit three home runs and drove in seven runs in the 
        final two games of the series, and who grew up as a Red Sox fan even 
        though he was raised in Florida, was recognized as Most Valuable Player 
        of the 2018 World Series;
Whereas Red Sox ace Chris Sale, who won 12 games with just a 2.11 earned run 
        average in a spectacular regular season, made five postseason 
        appearances, including Game 5 of the World Series, when he struck out 
        the side in the ninth inning to clinch the title;
Whereas pitcher David Price ``holds all the cards now,'' winning his last three 
        playoff starts, including the series-clinchers in the American League 
        Championship Series and the World Series, both on short rest;
Whereas outfielder Mookie Betts, who on the field produced another season worthy 
        of the Most Valuable Player award, also set high standards off the field 
        through his conduct and efforts to feed the homeless in the City of 
        Boston;
Whereas designated hitter J.D. Martinez proved the bright lights and biggest 
        stage were the perfect setting for his talents and character, 
        consistently producing as one of the best hitters in baseball;
Whereas second baseman Brock Holt made history in Game 3 of the American League 
        Championship Series by becoming the first player ever to hit for the 
        cycle in the postseason;
Whereas the Red Sox outfield of Jackie Bradley Jr., Mookie Betts, and Andrew 
        Benintendi played with remarkable skill and exuberance during the 2018 
        season and provided stellar defense, including multiple highlight-reel 
        plays during the postseason;
Whereas pitcher Nathan Eovaldi compiled six incredible innings in relief during 
        the longest game in World Series history, preserving the Red Sox 
        pitching staff for the final two wins and receiving a standing ovation 
        from his teammates during manager Alex Cora's late-night post-game 
        speech;
Whereas the Red Sox bullpen exceeded expectations in the 2018 postseason, thanks 
        in part to the emergence of Ryan Brasier as an effective set-up man 
        after pitching in Japan last season, the continued success of Matt 
        Barnes despite a hip injury near the end of the regular season, and the 
        strategic use of starters Nathan Eovaldi, Rick Porcello, David Price, 
        Eduardo Rodriguez, and Chris Sale pitching in relief;
Whereas reliever Joe Kelly struck out 10 of 22 batters over six World Series 
        innings of relief in high-pressure situations;
Whereas Craig Kimbrel was one of the best closers in baseball in 2018, amassing 
        42 saves and an earned run average of 2.74, and showed grit and 
        determination as he battled through nine postseason appearances, 
        improving at each successive stage of the playoffs;
Whereas the Red Sox organization and players supported Craig Kimbrel as he 
        missed spring training caring for his infant daughter as she underwent 
        and recovered from heart surgery;
Whereas the 2018 Boston Red Sox were largely made up of homegrown talent and 
        were the most homegrown Boston championship club this century;
Whereas the Boston Red Sox were led to the World Series by the determination of 
        every Red Sox player this season, including Matt Barnes, Andrew 
        Benintendi, Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, Jackie Bradley Jr., Ryan 
        Brasier, Rafael Devers, Nathan Eovaldi, Heath Hembree, Brock Holt, Joe 
        Kelly, Craig Kimbrel, Ian Kinsler, Sandy Leon, J.D. Martinez, Mitch 
        Moreland, Eduardo Nunez, Steve Pearce, Drew Pomeranz, Rick Porcello, 
        David Price, Eduardo Rodriguez, Chris Sale, Blake Swihart, and Christian 
        Vazquez;
Whereas Red Sox owners John Henry and Tom Werner deserve credit for building on 
        the success of the 2004, 2007, and 2013 World Championship teams, and 
        Red Sox president and chief executive officer Sam Kennedy and president 
        of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski deserve credit for their roles in 
        continuing the team's remarkable string of success;
Whereas the Boston Red Sox have been serving charities throughout New England, 
        including the ``Jimmy Fund'' of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for 65 
        years and joining the fight against cancer; and
Whereas the Fenway Faithful and Red Sox Nation thank all members of the Red Sox 
        organization for their loyalty to the city and delivery of the 2018 
        World Series title: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) congratulates--
                    (A) the Boston Red Sox for once again bringing the 
                World Series title back to Boston, and the players, 
                manager, coaches, support staff, and owners whose 
                dedication, commitment, and spirit made this season a 
                historic success; and
                    (B) the Los Angeles Dodgers for their 
                accomplishments and dedication during the 2018 season 
                and in winning the National League Championship; and
            (2) directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit an 
        enrolled copy of this resolution to--
                    (A) Red Sox manager Alex Cora;
                    (B) Red Sox principal owner John Henry; and
                    (C) Red Sox chairman Tom Werner.
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