Gilbert Gutknecht: “Tonight I rise in recognition of the Rochester A's who won the American Legion World Series Championship in…”

“Tonight I rise in recognition of the Rochester A's who won the American Legion World Series Championship in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, just a few weeks ago. Utilizing imagination, skill, and a whole lot of moxie, these kids made an improbable journey, becoming only the fourth team from Minnesota in the series' 77-year history to win this prestigious championship. The A's made the most of their God-given skills to beat long odds and finished an astonishing 52 and 5. Perhaps the most difficult of the 52 victories in route to the ALWS was a rain delayed victory over a tough New Ulm team who was also from southern Minnesota. During an overnight rain delay pitcher Mike Badger and shortstop Danny Lyons devised a scheme in their hotel room. With a score of 6 to 4, a runner on second with the tying run at the plate with a 3 and 1 count, Badger would pick off the runner without ever throwing a pitch. Badger obliged, and then picked off the runner, sending the A's to the World Series.”