Notre Dame wide receiver Jeff Samardzija has decided to forego a pro football career for that of a baseball pitcher -- and he'll be well compensated for it. Samardzija signed a five-year deal Friday to play baseball full-time, starting in the Chicago Cubs' minor league system. ESPN.com's Wayne Drehs reports the deal is worth $8 million, guaranteed. A news conference was scheduled for Friday afternoon. When the Cubs drafted Samardzija in the fifth round last June, giving him a $250,000 signing bonus, he intended to play both football and baseball professionally. Last season, Samardzija pitched for Class A Boise and Peoria, where he finished a combined 1-2 with a 2.70 earned run average. He struck out 17 and walked 12 in 30 innings. He is expected to start the season in Class A Peoria, where Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg will be the manager.
Jeff Samardzija signs 5 year deal with Cubs http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/baseball/mlb/01/19/cubs.samardzija/
Maybe Brady Quinn will get signed by an MLB team next, saving himself the embarassment of a failed NFL career.
I always thought he was going to end up playing baseball. He got drafted last year and evidently got a bonus. Baseball has more money and less effort anyway. If he's good, he'll make a ton.
Jeff Samardzija to play baseball I didn't see this posted anywhere. Jeff Samardzija has decided to play pro baseball and not play football. He got 10 million over 5 years for the Cubs and the Cubs hold team options for 6th and 7th years. Heres the link if you want more info. http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-cubs-samardzija&prov=ap&type=lgns
1st line of the article: CHICAGO (AP) -- Jeff Samardzija decided to give up football and stay with baseball.
