Sen. Nelson on the Senate resolution honoring the Florida Marlins

October 29, 2003

Mr. President, I rise today to urge passage of a resolution sponsored by Senator Graham and myself commending the Florida Marlins for winning the 2003 World Series. In their 10th anniversary season the Marlins have once again reached the pinnacle of baseball. They provided us with a magical season many in Florida and elsewhere won't soon forget. They started the season with little fanfare and low expectations, and they struggled at first with a losing record. And just when things seemed as if they couldn't get any worse, they lost their manager. For many the Marlins' early misfortunes signaled another losing season. But on May 23, the team began a magical run that culminated in a World Series title over the storied New York Yankees. During this remarkable stretch, they compiled the best record in baseball, earned a wild-card playoff spot, upset the heavily favored San Francisco Giants in the Division series, shocked the Chicago Cubs by rebounding from a three-games-to-one deficit to win the National League Championship and became the first opposing team to capture a World Series title in Yankee Stadium in 22 years. During their season, and especially the playoffs, the Marlins confidently believed in their abilities and their play made believers out of many all along the way. If nothing else, their season illustrates for everyone a lesson we all should heed--never give up. We offer congratulations to all members of the Florida Marlins organization and to their fans in South Florida.

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