LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Michael Joseph Baxter of White-
stone, Queens, and the New York Mets, for his accomplished professional
baseball career

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize those individuals within our midst who have contributed great-
ly to the quality of our lives by a commitment to excellence; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
outstanding athletes who distinguish themselves through their excep-
tional performance, attaining unprecedented success and the highest
level of personal achievement; and
WHEREAS, Excellence and success in competitive sports at the profes-
sional level can be achieved only through strenuous practice; Michael
Joseph Baxter's dedication to athletics is a year-round, everyday
commitment; he is highly focused and has developed a matchless work
ethic; and
WHEREAS, Born and raised in the Whitestone neighborhood in Queens, New
York, Michael (Mike) Joseph Baxter attended St. Luke's Parish school and
began his illustrious baseball career in the Bayside Little League; and
WHEREAS, Mike Baxter graduated from Archbishop Molloy High School in
2002, leading the school's baseball team to the New York City Catholic
High School Athletic Association City championship in his senior year;
and
WHEREAS, After attending Columbia University, and then Vanderbilt
University, Mike Baxter was selected by San Diego Padres in the fourth
round of the 2005 major league baseball amateur entry draft; and
WHEREAS, In 2005, Mike Baxter made his professional baseball debut
with Fort Wayne of the Midwest League; in 2010, he made his first
appearance in major league baseball for the San Diego Padres and
recorded his first major league hit on September 26, 2010, against the
Cincinnati Reds; and
WHEREAS, In 2011, Mike Baxter started the season with the San Diego
Padre organization and was acquired by the New York Mets in July; he
made his Mets debut on August 8, 2011, becoming the 36th player born in
New York City to play for the Mets; he hit his first major league home
run on September 28th, the last day of the 2011 season; and
WHEREAS, During the 2012 season, on Friday, June 1st, against the
defending World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals, Mike Baxter became
an enduring part of Mets' history by making a tremendous catch in left-
field of a Yadier Molina line drive to preserve Johan Santana's histor-
ic, Mets' first-ever no-hitter; in making his historic catch, he crashed
into the wall and had to leave the game with a serious shoulder injury;
and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his outstanding athletic
career, Mike Baxter has stood constant in dignity, good grace and humor,
and has earned the respect and admiration of his managers, coaches,
teammates, opponents, fans, family and friends; and
WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion presents a unique opportunity for
this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to Mike Baxter's
exceptional athletic prowess and achievements; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to honor Michael Joseph Baxter
for his extraordinary athletic accomplishments which are a tribute to
his skill, dedication and commitment; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Michael Joseph Baxter of Whitestone, Queens, and the New
York Mets, for his accomplished professional baseball career; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Michael Joseph Baxter.