If after saying his final goodbyes to the fans who loyally supported him over the past three years, Mallards outfielder Jordan Comadena (pictured) chose to dig up home plate and drive it back to his Illinois home, no one would have stopped him. Since the team’s inception into the Northwoods League in 2001, no player has crossed home plate more than Comadena (119). He needed a strong season to surpass former Mallards fan favorite Mike Rohde (110) and he did just that, setting the team’s single season record for runs scored (54) as well.
Comadena would also surpass Rohde’s walks record with 89, placing him only one behind the NWL All-Time career record.
The team captain states he never had intentions of breaking records when he first stepped foot in Madison two years ago.
“I just wanted to play hard and try to help the team win in whatever way I could,” said Comadena. “As far as digging up home plate (laughs), it would’ve been cool to raise it above my head like Ricky Henderson did to third base after becoming the MLB All-Time steals leader. However, I did take some dirt from the batter’s box home with me in a little container.”
He added a few words of wisdom to collegiate athletes thinking about playing in the Northwoods League.
“If you want to play at the next level, there is no better summer collegiate league to showcase your talents and the Mallards are hands-down the best team to be a part of,” said Comadena. “Owner Steve Schmitt and General Manager Vern Stenman go above and beyond to take care of us players, and manager C.J. Thieleke is an absolute blast to play for.”
Being a senior at Purdue, Comadena isn’t eligible to return to the team next year and he expressed the emotions of his time with the Mallards.
“I’ll certainly miss the city of Madison and my host family, and the Mallards will always have a special place in my heart.”
Other 2007 record-setting performances are listed below.
Bobby Hubbard, 3B (’06, ’07) – The smooth-swinging leftie now holds the Mallards single season record in RBI’s (46) and is tied for the franchise-lead in triples (5). His RBI total was also tops in the NWL. Hubbard enjoyed a solid offensive year, hitting .315 with 12 doubles and three home runs.
Randy Molina, 1B (’05-’07) Molina smacked a franchise-high 15 doubles this past season, bringing his career total to a record 32. He surpassed Rohde in both categories. Molina finished fourth in the league in hitting with a .342 average that included four home runs and 39 RBI’s.
Bubba O’Donnell, RHP (’07) – The team’s eccentric closer set team records in appearances (34) and saves (12). A 2007 NWL Midseason All-Star, O’Donnell posted a 2.94 ERA in 49 innings pitched.
