April 15, 2001

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

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

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