Samardzija Shines at Cubs Camp

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By WSBT Sports

Story Created: Mar 27, 2007 at 7:55 PM EST

Story Updated: Apr 20, 2007 at 2:56 PM EST

(WSBT/MLB) Jeff Samardzija's decision to pursue a career in baseball instead of football seems to be paying off. Not just in dollars (although $10 million certainly helps), but in the field of play as well.

In his three appearances with the Cubs during spring training, Samardzija had a 1.80 ERA, and struck out 3 batters in 5 innings.

"You could see he's had big-time exposure playing football at Notre Dame," raves Cubs manager Lou Piniella. "This hasn't fazed him too much. "

Samardzija consistently clocked in the upper 90's, and the joke around the diamond is that the Cubs had to send him to minor league camp, so that Piniella wouldn't be tempted to put him in the Cubs starting rotation.
Piniella affectionately refers to the rookie as "Jeff ND", rather than attempting to spell out his last name.

Samardzija will begin the year in Daytona, with the Cubs Class-A affiliate.

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