Fighting Irish addition just in time for St. Patty?s Day.
The Madison Mallards have signed three members of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Baseball Team, just in time for this year?s St. Patrick?s Day celebration! The 2003 Mallards will feature Irish catcher Javier Sanchez, first basemen Joe Thamen, & pitcher Tyler Jones.

Sanchez, Notre Dame?s starting catcher, is a junior who is catching for the first time this season. Last spring he was the Irish? starting shortstop as his club made a run in the College World Series & finished 4th in the country. This spring he has made the transition to behind the plate & started nearly every game there. Through March 13th he is hitting .317 with 1 HR & 5 RBI. The right-handed hitter is 6? 2? 200 pounds & should be a very valuable part of the Mallards this summer bringing great experience, & versatility.

Joe Thaman, a 6? 4? 214 pound left handed junior, is the starting first baseman for his 3rd year at Notre Dame. Last season Thamen hit .272 with 6 HR & 33 RBI while starting 58 games for the Irish. The smooth fielder was named the best defensive first baseman in his conference by Baseball America?s College Preview edition. The streaky hitter is off to a slow start this season hitting .231 with 6 RBI through 10 games.

Tyler Jones, a 6? 4? 210 pound right hander, is a sophomore who hails from Arlington, TX. As a freshman he saw a limited role in the Irish? deep pitching staff, compiling one win, a save & a 4.00 ERA. In the 2002 summer he was a member of the all-Jayhawk League Team while playing for the Hays (Kan.) Larks. He made his 2003 debut this Friday going 3 innings, striking out 5, while allowing 2 earned runs.

The Mallards & the Great Dane will also host a Summer Time St. Patty?s Day this summer on Friday June 20th at the Duck Pond. The event will feature green beer, green uniforms, green bases & baselines, free Mallards pint glasses to the first 500 fans over 21, & Irish rock band the Kissers live pre & post game!