Date: 2003-10-29
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I* join my colleagues in celebrating the Marlins win of the World Series. I think we have to recognize that Major League Baseball has perhaps provided the country and the world with the best postseason ever in this month that has just ended. It was an extraordinary series of games. series of series topped off by a wonderful and extraordinary World Series. won by a young and dynamic team that has earned the admiration of the entire world. Obviously. in south Florida we are extremely proud of our Florida Marlins. They embody in many ways south Florida. from Jack McKeon. the manager. who at age 72 became the oldest manager to lead a team to the World Series. after being called Just a few months earlier when he was. in fact. out of a job and many thought that he would never again manage in the Major Leagues. was asked by the front office of the Marlins to come and turn the team around. that they needed someone at the helm with the experience and leadership qualities of Jack McKeon. And what a job he did. And I think for that job. he needs to be commended. And the front office starting with Jeffrey Loria. the chairman and CEO and managing general partner of the Marlins. and David Samson. the president of the Marlins. and Larry Beinfest. the senior vice president and general manager. what a job they did putting together this young team that faced and defeated a New York Yankees team with over three times the payroll. And. yet. because of the young talent in the Florida Marlins. the Marlins were able to prevail. What can we say?We can pick example after example that really leaves us in awe. That cleanup hitter. 20yearold cleanup hitter who just a few months earlier was in AA baseball. In the Minors. and he was called up because he showed such extraordinary talent and Miguel Cabrera became the first 20yearold since Ty Cobb to bat in the cleanup position in the World Series. What a future he has. As with so many others in the Florida Marlins. we can go down the roster and analyze and really celebrate the excitement that all of the players represent. from Juan Pierre. that dynamic and really exciting. extraordinarily exciting center fielder. to obviously Ivan Rodriguez. the catcher. who electrified us all with his plays and his hitting day after day. what a World Series it was. So I am glad that the gentleman from Florida and the gentlewoman from Florida have come forth with this resolution which I have joined. And I think we not only should commend the Marlins for their extraordinary victory and share. obviously. in the celebration that all of south Florida is engaged in. but also remember that this is an opportunity for some tasks that remain undone to be finished. First I think it is important. and I have full faith and confidence that the front office. the leadership of the Marlins. is not going to do what the ownership did after the last World Series. and that is to basically eliminate that great team. but rather it is our hope. and I am sure that we will see that the nucleus of this team will remain together so that the community can see that team again playing next year and winning. as I am sure that it will. And we also have in south Florida a great task. which my brother. the gentleman from Florida . was heavily involved in just a few years ago when he was in the State legislature in attempting to put together all the pieces that are required for a new stadium. And south Florida needs a new baseball stadium. And I hope that this impetus now that has been gained by this marvelous victory can serve for the community to come together and perhaps dust off the plan that almost succeeded just a few years ago that was a very good and interesting plan. and that a baseball stadium can be built because this team. this dynamic. wonderful team deserves it. and the community deserves it. And so congratulations to that wonderful team. the Florida Marlins.