2019 -- H 5154

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING THE BOSTON RED SOX ON WINNING THE 2018 WORLD SERIES

     Introduced By: Representatives Marshall, O'Brien, Millea, Almeida, and Shekarchi

     Date Introduced: January 22, 2019

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, In the 2018 Major League Baseball season, the Boston Red Sox compiled

possibly the greatest season in team history and one of the most dominant seasons in Major

League Baseball history. This past season, the Red Sox won their fourth American League East

Divisional Title in a row, winning an astounding 108 regular season games, the most in team

history and the most by any baseball team in 2018. The Red Sox easily won the division by eight

games over the New York Yankees and went on to storm through the playoffs and win the World

Series in dominating fashion; and

     WHEREAS, The Red Sox were led perfectly all season by rookie Manager Alex Cora

who from Spring Training established his authority and was able to buy into his plan for success.

All season it seemed that every move he made was the right one as he provided the energy and

leadership from the dugout that many thought was the missing ingredient in the prior few

seasons; and

     WHEREAS, The Red Sox were powered all season by their offense, the best in baseball

in 2018. They led all of baseball in batting average and in runs scored with a total of 876. 2018

MVP Mookie Betts led the way with a .346 batting average, the best in baseball along with 32

home runs. Additionally, he once again won a Gold Glove for his outstanding fielding in Right

Field. Designated Hitter J.D. Martinez chipped in with a team-leading 43 home runs and a .330

batting average. Other notable performers on offense were Jackie Bradley, Jr., in Center Field,

Andrew Benitendi in Left Field, Zavier Bogaerts at Shortstop, and Rafael Devers at Third Base;

and

     WHEREAS, The Red Sox were also aided all season by an outstanding pitching staff.

Four starters won double digit games with staff ace Chris Sale going 12-4 with 237 strike outs

and a sterling 2.11 earned run average. David Price assisted with a strong 16-7 record, Rick

Porcello rebounded from an off 2017 season by going 17-7 in 2018, and Eduardo Rodriguez

chipped in with a 13-5 record. The Bullpen also was strong in 2018, led by closer Craig Kimbrel

who compiled an excellent season with 42 saves and a 2.74 Earned Run Average; and

     WHEREAS, The Red Sox entered the post season as the favorite to win the

Championship and they did not disappoint. In the first round, the Red Sox faced their age-old

nemesis and rival, the New York Yankees, who were hoping to destroy the great season the Red

Sox were having. However, it was not to be as the Red Sox dispatched them in four games,

coming up clutch in two thrilling one-run games and winning their other game by a score of 16-1.

In the American League Championship Series the Red Sox domination continued as they quickly

dispatched the defending champion Houston Astros in five games. After losing the first game, the

Red sox swept the next four to advance to the World Series; and

     WHEREAS, For the first time in World Series history, the Red Sox and the Los Angeles

Dodgers faced off against each other. The Dodgers gave it all they had, including winning the

longest World Series game in Baseball History in game three, but the Red Sox proved to be too

much, winning the World Series in five games. The story of the 2018 Major League Baseball

season was the commanding performance of the Boston Red Sox from the beginning of the

season all the way to the finish; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby congratulates the Boston Red Sox on winning the 2018 World

Series; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Boston Red Sox Principal Owner John W.

Henry, and Boston Red Sox Manager Alex Cora.

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