By Krusee                                              H.R. No. 810
         77R12474 MJS-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The 2000 Round Rock Express baseball team completed
 1-2     a storybook inaugural season by capturing the Texas League
 1-3     championship; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, Manager Jackie Moore, who was selected as Texas
 1-5     League Manager of the Year, and his coaching staff guided Round
 1-6     Rock to 83 regular-season victories and the Texas League pennant;
 1-7     moreover, they had the Express ably prepared for their championship
 1-8     series showdown against the defending Texas League champion Wichita
 1-9     Wranglers; and
1-10           WHEREAS, Round Rock, the Double-A affiliate of Major League
1-11     Baseball's Houston Astros, powered its way to the Texas League
1-12     championship with an explosive offense that had three players hit
1-13     20 or more home runs and drive in at least 90 runs; the Express
1-14     also led the league in home runs and became the first ballclub
1-15     other than El Paso or Midland to win the team batting title since
1-16     1981; and
1-17           WHEREAS, Playing an integral role in the team's prolific
1-18     offensive attack was second baseman Keith Ginter, who was selected
1-19     as the league's Most Valuable Player; in addition, the Express
1-20     relied on a superb pitching staff that tossed a league-leading 11
1-21     shutouts and an airtight defense anchored by first baseman Aaron
1-22     McNeal, shortstop David Matranga, and center fielder Colin Porter;
1-23     and
1-24           WHEREAS, Playing in the friendly confines of the
 2-1     state-of-the-art Dell Diamond, Round Rock shattered the Double-A
 2-2     attendance record, drawing 660,110 fans to the ballpark; the
 2-3     Express's smallest crowd of the season was 7,008, and the team
 2-4     frequently attracted more than 11,500 fans to games; and
 2-5           WHEREAS, Round Rock was named the 2000 Minor League Team of
 2-6     the Year by Baseball America, a distinction that encompasses all
 2-7     levels of minor league play; and
 2-8           WHEREAS, Through their hard work, training, and commitment,
 2-9     the Express coaches and players came together for a stellar season
2-10     and entertained countless people in Round Rock and the Lone Star
2-11     State, and it is indeed most fitting to take this opportunity to
2-12     pay tribute to all those who contributed to this success; now,
2-13     therefore, be it
2-14           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
2-15     Legislature hereby congratulate the Round Rock Express on the
2-16     team's extraordinary first season and extend to the organization's
2-17     players, coaches, management, and fans sincere best wishes for
2-18     continued success; and, be it further
2-19           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-20     prepared for the 2000 Round Rock Express as an expression of high
2-21     regard by the Texas House of Representatives.