For the second-straight day, a former Boise Hawk made his MLB debut, as Blake Lalli was called up by the Chicago Cubs to replace another former Hawk, Geovany Soto, who went on the 15-Day DL with a knee injury.

Lalli, who played in three games, going 0-for-7 with the Hawks in 2006, came into today’s game against the White Sox in the top of the ninth defensively and then grounded out in his first big league at bat.  The game was memorable, as Lalli was making his debut, Kerry Wood announced his retirement at the conclusion of the game.

Today was also an interesting day for Josh Harrison, as the 2008 Hawk singled in the ninth inning against Justin Verlander and the Tigers, breaking up Verlander’s bid for his third no-hitter.  In San Francisco, Josh Donaldson (’07) had his best game in his big league career, recording a pair of doubles, and a home run, knocking in five runs in an Oakland win over the Giants.

Donaldson and Harrison are among the former Hawks that will be chronicalled in the coming days – as I announce my “Top Boise Hawks of the Chicago Cubs Era”. Position by position, I will give my pick for the top Hawks from 2001-11 – currently, I have 39 players that are under consideration in the eight field positions, starting pitcher, relief pitcher, and designated hitter categories.