 President of the United States and Mrs. Reagan. Well, please be seated. Thank you all for coming. And would you all please join me in welcoming this year's World Series champs, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Owner Peter O'Malley, Executive Vice President Fred Claire, Manager Tomula Sota, 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. And I want to give him enough time in the kitchen. You never want a Russian artist, you know. But 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 California. And I couldn't help but recognize the lady who threw out the first pitch. That was some fastball, Nancy. But seriously, you're just saying no campaign has awakened the nation to the dangers of illicit drug use, and I'm glad to have you on my team. Tommy Lasota, 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. 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. Oral Hirsch-Eiser, you capped a sensational year by winning three post-season 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. I spent a few years in Hollywood, but I don't think a better script could have been written for game one with Kirk Gibson's dramatic ninth inning home run. 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 to. Rookie pitcher Tim Belcher, reliever Alejandro Peña, led a fine supporting cast of pitchers. And let's not forget guys like Mike Marshall, Steve Sacks, John Shelby, and Franklin Stubbs. Veteran catchers like Mike Sosha and Rick Dempsey. Everybody played a part. Somebody even remarked that you're a physician. Dr. Frank Joby sought to get, 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 Oakland A's, time in La Sorte called them one of the strongest teams ever to play in a World Series. Any team that wins 104 games during the regular season is bound to be back. 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 the story. Well, this one's about a minister who walked by the lobby of a hotel one morning and noticed a ball player that he knew by sight. So he said to the player, one thing I've always wondered, why must you fellas play ball on Sundays? Well, Reverend, the player said, Sunday's our biggest day. We have the best crowds, make the most money, and after all, Sunday is your biggest day, too, isn't it? 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. Well, the sun really shined on the Dodgers this year. So congratulations, champs. Good luck in the future, and may God bless you all. Thank you, Mr. President, 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 of the World Series, and we won that game in the most dramatic way I've ever seen a ball game 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 of Dodger Stadium and, of course, bring you along with her. Mr. President, 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 that 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 that we look to a higher power when we both believe in God, and I thank God that you're in president, and I thank God for this ball club and the great year that we had. 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 in time. Thank you, all. Thank you.