The Reno Silver Sox have announced the signing of Olympic gold medalist and Major League experienced catcher Marcus Jensen to a contract for the 2006 season.
Jensen, 33, was the first round pick of the San Francisco Giants out of Skyline High in Oakland in 1990, reaching the Major Leagues with the Giants in 1996. He has spent parts of seven seasons in the Big Leagues with Milwaukee, St. Louis, Minnesota, Boston, and Texas in addition to San Francisco.
He was also the catcher for the USA's 2000 Olympic Baseball Team that won the gold medal by defeating Cuba in Sydne, Australia. With eight seasons in Triple-A and a number at the lower minor league levels early in his career, Jensen is closing in on 1,000 hits in his minor league career, needing just 76 this season to reach that milestone. Last year was Jensen's first in the Golden Baseball League as he split time between catcher and first base for the Mesa Miners, hitting .290 with 5 triples, 7 home runs, and 48 RBI in 84 games.
"Marcus is a great catcher and I'm thrilled to have him on the team," said Silver Sox Manager Les Lancaster. "He is a master at handling pitchers, his clubhouse leadership is tremendous, and his work ethic will set an example for our younger players as to what it means to be a professional ballplayer. And his natural tendency to interact with fans and youth sports programs will be great for Silver Sox fans and a valuable addition to the Reno community."
Golfers fire aces
Two golfers recently shot holes-in-one at Eagle Valley. Desmond Grant of Stateline recently fired an ace on the West Course.
He used a 6-iron from the blue tee on the seventh hole. His ball took one bounce and went straight into the hole.
Emanuel Alverez of Carson City also recently shot an ace on the East Course. He used a 7-iron from the white tee on the fourth hole. His ball hit the front of the green and kicked into the hole.
Girls wrestling event at Dayton
The United States Girls Wrestling Association will hold its first West Coast Championships on Sunday, March 26 at Dayton High.
Weigh-in and registration will be from 7-9 a.m., with the wrestling set to begin at 10. The ninth annual USGWA National Championships will be held April 1-2 in Lake Orion, Mich. For more information on USGWA, go to www.usgwa.com.
World T'ai Chi/Qi Gong Day set
The eighth annual World T'ai Chi/Qi Gong Day will be held from 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 29 at Minden Park, sixth and Esmeralda Streets. The event is co-sponsored by the Carson Valley T'ai Chi Club and Douglas County Parks and Recreation Department.
For more information, call Earl Mussett (775) 782-6603 or Douglas County Parks and Recreation, (775) 782-9828 or visit the websites: www.cvtcc.bravehost.com or www.WorldTaiChiDay.com.