Remarks Congratulating
the World Series Champion
The President. Thank you all for
coming. And would you all please join me in welcoming this year's World Series
champs, the Los Angeles Dodgers. [Applause]
Owner
Peter O'Malley, Executive Vice President Fred Claire, Manager Tommy Lasorda, and the rest of the team, it's great to have you
here. But I want you to know that we need to get this ceremony in quickly,
because Tommy's already volunteered to cook lasagna -- [laughter] -- and I want
to give him enough time in the kitchen. [Laughter] You never want to rush an
artist, you know!
Well,
in my job, you're President of all the people, and you're not supposed to play
favorites. But I must confess that after the World Series began I just knew the
winner was going to be a team from
And
I couldn't help but recognize the lady who threw out the first pitch; that was
some fastball,
Tommy
Lasorda, perhaps you best summed up this year's
Dodger season when you said, after it was all over, ``This just shows what can happen when you want something bad enough.''
Well, you Dodgers not only wanted this title badly but you went for it with all
you had. It's the kind of year that would have made even Harry Houdini jealous.
[Laughter]
Let's
remember that before this season started, few baseball writers expected the
Dodgers even to win their division. Yet you fellows took the National League
West, tripped up the powerhouse New York Mets in the league championship
series, and then wrapped up the title by beating the Oakland Athletics in five
games. I guess it just never occurred to this bunch that someone else was
supposed to win. But you did it, and you did it with guts and determination.
Orel Hershiser, you capped
a sensational year by winning three postseason games, including two in the
Series. And you're the first pitcher ever to win the Most Valuable Player Award
for both the league championship and World Series in the same year.
Now,
I've spent a few years in
Then
there were guys like Mickey Hatcher, who hit one homer all year, but two during
the World Series. And there were plenty of others who contributed, too. Rookie
pitcher Tim Belcher and reliever Alejandro Pena led a fine supporting cast of
pitchers. And let's not forget guys like Mike Marshall, Steve Sax, John Shelby,
and Franklin Stubbs; veteran catchers like Mike Scioscia
and Rick Dempsey. Everybody played a part. Somebody even remarked that your
physician, Dr. Frank Jobe, ought to get a raise for
all the work he did in nursing injured players.
Well,
it was quite a dream season for the Dodgers, and I hope for each of you that this
dream lasts a long time. As for the
Watching
some of the outfielders in the Series reminded me of a little story. By the
time you get to be my age, everything reminds you of a story. [Laughter] Well,
this one's about a minister who walked by the lobby of a hotel one morning and
noticed a ballplayer that he knew by sight. So, he said to the player, ``One thing I've always wondered: Why must you fellows play
ball on Sundays?'' ``Well, Reverend,'' the player said, ``Sunday is our biggest
day. We have the best crowds, make the most money. And, after all, Sunday is
your biggest day, too, isn't it?'' [Laughter] Well, the minister nodded his
understanding and then added, ``But there's a little difference. I'm in the
right field.'' And the player said, ``So am I, and the
sun's horrible out there, isn't it?'' [Laughter]
Well,
the Sun really shined on the Dodgers this year. So, congratulations, champs,
good luck in the future, and may God bless you all.
Mr.
Lasorda. Thank you, Mr. President, the First Lady. We
are honored on behalf of Peter O'Malley and his sister Terry, and the entire Dodger
organization. We're very, very honored that you wanted us here to visit with
you. And all I can say is that the First Lady threw out the first ball to the
World Series, and we won that game in the most dramatic way I've ever seen a
ballgame in a World Series won. So, when you are finished with your job here,
we would like for her to come out and throw the first ball out at Dodger
Stadium and, of course, bring you along with her. [Laughter] I'd like to
present you this, sir.
[At
this point, Mr. Lasorda gave the President a Dodgers
team jersey.]
Mr.
Hershiser. Mr. President and the First Lady, I was
chosen by the team members to present you with a bat here today. And the bat is
inscribed with Mr. President's name. And I will be so great to say Ron Reagan
on the bat. And there's one thing -- I had a lot of success in the World Series
and the playoffs, and you've had a lot of success as a President. And I think
the main reason is, is that we look to a higher power: We both believe in God.
And I thank God that you're the President, and I thank God for this ball club
and the great year that we had.
The President. You're absolutely
right. And I know that this ends the ceremony and we may have to leave. But I
just can't wait till the Congress gets back. [The President swung the bat.]
[Laughter] All right. Thank you all.
Note: The President
spoke at