This kid is a heck of an athlete. He would have been a high draft pick in the NFL but he signed a huge bonus to play baseball with the Cubs.

He got called up to the majors after a little over one year in the minors.



Shark gets the call for The Show

Last Updated: 11:54 PM Jul 24, 2008
Reporter: Jeff Jeffers

Shark gets the call for The Show



A source within the Cubs organization told NewsCenter 16 early Friday morning that former Irish All-America Jeff Samardzija would join the club later in the day. Shark will take the spot vacated by Kerry Wood who was placed on the 15-day disabled list before Chicago's win over Florida on Thursday.

Samardzija, who is from Valparaiso, was 4-1 since being called up to Class AAA Iowa. He made the jump from college to the major leagues in just over one year. He decided to opt out of the 2007 NFL draft and signed with the Cubs. Shark played in the minors but was invited to spring training earlier this year where he pitched well. He began the season at AA Tennessee before moving up to Iowa.

Samardzija was a two-time consensus All-America for the Irish football team and also was a mainstay of the Irish baseball squad. When Samardzija pitched at Frank Eck Stadium there would be standing room only crowds.

Again, NewsCenter 16 has learned that Jeff Samardzija will be placed on the Cubs roster on Friday

He's better off in baseball, guaranteed contracts, longer shelf life, less severe injuries.

He signed a five year $10.0 million dollar contract with the Cubs (all guaranteed money) to keep him out of the NFL draft back in the summer of 2006.

It included a $ 2.5 million dollar signing bonus.


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