HR0607 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0607 LRB097 14618 KXB 59493 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate the St. Louis Cardinals on winning the 2011 World Series Championship; and

WHEREAS, The St. Louis Cardinals World Series victory marks the 11th World Series championship title for the Cardinal franchise, the second-most World Series titles of any Major League team; and

WHEREAS, The Cardinals' hope of making the 2011 playoffs was unquestionably doubted; by making their unlikely run to the top, the Cardinals organization reminded the city of St. Louis that it has always been a baseball town; and

WHEREAS, The players made it happen with their skill and perseverance, turning a frustrating season into a thriller, featuring innumerable contributions from every player, coach, and the entire St. Louis Cardinals family, ending the season on top, bringing the roar back to the Cardinal Nation, and adding a new chapter to Cardinal lore for fans to celebrate forever; and

WHEREAS, The St. Louis Cardinals battled against the aggressive play and talent of the American League Champions, the Texas Rangers, who deserve great credit for an outstanding performance in the 2011 World Series; and

WHEREAS, Game 6 of the 2011 World Series was one of the most suspenseful Major League Baseball post-season games ever; after being down 2 runs and down to their last out twice in extra innings, the St. Louis Cardinals pulled through, ending Game 6 with a solo home run from the hometown hero, David Freese, off a pitch by the Texas Rangers' Mark Lowe in the 11th inning for a 10-9 Cardinals win; and

WHEREAS, With their 6-2 victory over the Texas Rangers in Game 7 on October 28, 2011, the St. Louis Cardinals won their 11th World Series; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the St. Louis Cardinals on their spectacular World Series victory, their long, distinguished history, their many successes as a franchise, and an amazing unheard-of comeback season, and we recognize the players, coaches, and leadership of the Cardinals organization; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we also congratulate Tony LaRussa on his outstanding career; during 33 seasons with the Chicago White Sox (1979-86), the Oakland A's (1986-95), and the St. Louis Cardinals (1996-2011), LaRussa compiled a 2,728-2,365 regular-season record, trailing only Connie Mack (3,731) and John McGraw (2,763) for wins, and his 70 postseason victories are behind only Joe Torre's 84; LaRussa won the World Series with Oakland in 1989, St. Louis in 2006, and again this year, joining Sparky Anderson as the only manager to win with clubs in both leagues; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the St. Louis Cardinals as a symbol of our esteem and respect.