Former Irish Baseball Players Making Mark In MLB
Michalak, Counsell and Parker make opening day rosters.

April 15, 2001

Three former Notre Dame baseball players competed for Major Leagueroster spots, as members of 40-man Spring Training rosters: RHPs Brad Lidge(Houston Astros) and Christian Parker (N.Y. Yankees) and infielder CraigCounsell (Arizona Diamondbacks). LHP Chris Michalak was in the Toronto BlueJays camp as one of 15 non-roster invitees.

Parker, Counsell and Michalak all made opening-day rosters-withParker and Michalak pitching on back-to-back days at Yankee Stadium (eachearned a No. 5 starter spot and was making his first career Major Leaguestart, with Michalak racing out to a 3-1 record while Parker lost his debutand has been placed on the DL).

Other former Irish players currently in pro ball include C/1B MikeAmrhein and RHP John Corbin (both with the Chicago Cubs organization), IFBrant Ust and LHP Tim Kalita (both with Detroit Tigers AA squad) and 1B/DHJeff Wagner (Anaheim Angels organization).