Governor Pat Quinn has proclaimed Saturday, April 28, 2012 as "Phil Humber Day," in Illinois.
The proclamation is "in honor of the White Sox pitcher throwing only the 21st perfect game in Major League Baseball history," stated a news release from the Office of the Governor.
The official proclamation reads as follows:
WHEREAS, the people of Illinois are both entertained and inspired by demonstrations of athletic excellence and take great pride in the achievements of their favorite Major League Baseball teams; and,
WHEREAS, on April 21, 2012, Chicago White Sox Pitcher Philip Humber threw a perfect game in a 4-0 victory against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field in Seattle; and,
WHEREAS, with this accomplishment, Philip Humber became only the 21st pitcher in the history of Major League Baseball ever to pitch a perfect game; and,
WHEREAS, Philip Humber became the first pitcher to throw a perfect game in the month of April since former White Sox hurler and fellow Texan Charles Robertson in 1922; and,
WHEREAS, Philip Humber became the first pitcher to not allow a single base runner against the Seattle Mariners; and,
WHEREAS, this extraordinary occasion marks the third perfect game for the White Sox, combining the achievements of Humber, Robertson, and Mark Buehrle in making the Chicago White Sox the leader in perfect games of all Major League franchises; and,
WHEREAS, in his perfect game, Philip Humber showed extreme poise and pure domination in a 96-pitch outing with 9 strike outs, including striking out Mariners’ pinch-hitter Brendan Ryan on a 3-2 count for the final out of the game; and,
WHEREAS, during his time on the mound, Philip Humber was able to pitch for a full eight innings without allowing a single batter to receive three balls and kept nearly every hitter from threatening to reach base; and,
WHEREAS, other players of the Chicago White Sox exemplified the highest ideals of teamwork in contributing to Philip Humber’s achievement, namely Alex Rios whose over the shoulder catch of Dustin Ackley’s line drive in the fourth stopped the Mariners attempt to get on base in their tracks; Paul Konerko, who struck first with a home run in the second inning and added another RBI in the third, and Anthony John Pierzynski, who not only caught Humber’s perfect game, but also drove in a run in the third and preserved the perfect game with a heads up play in the bottom of the ninth to end the game; and,
WHEREAS, sports fans throughout the world acknowledge Philip Humber’s contributions to the
Chicago White Sox, the State of Illinois, and the game of baseball; and
WHEREAS, Philip Humber’s remarkable performance on Saturday, April 21, 2012, now takes its place among the most memorable moments in the storied history of our national pastime:
THEREFORE, I, Pat Quinn, Governor of the State of Illinois, commend and salute Philip Humber for his exemplary performance on the baseball diamond and do hereby proclaim April 28, 2012, as PHILIP HUMBER DAY in Illinois in recognition of this historic and extraordinary accomplishment.
Quinn plans to present Humber with a framed copy of the proclamation before Saturday night's home game against the Red Sox.
The White Sox will be searching for a win tonight after losing four straight games.
