http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2736354

 

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.

Can't say I blame him.

Thanks!!!!

Nice deal. Hard to turn away from that kind of money. IMO a good move on his part.

Does the contract specifically say no football?

IMO he wasn't that good at football. I thought he was very overrated.

Thanks!!!!

 

:thumb:

Can you imagine what it would be like if Harry Caray were still around and he tried to pronounce that name?

Can you imagine what it would be like if Harry Caray were still around and he tried to pronounce that name?

 

Especially in the late innings!:eek:

IMO he wasn't that good at football. I thought he was very overrated.

 

 

IMO, he would make a very good possession receiver in the NFL.

He will make a lot more money if he turns out as good as the Cubs think he will be. They think he can make a quick climb to the MLB rotation by 2008. If thats so he will make a lot more money and thats what its all about, as a Cubs fan I'll take any pitching LOL, apparently he has some good stuff and a 96mph fast ball

My girlfriend (who is from the South Bend area) says that it's pretty common knowledge up there that his future is brighter in baseball than in football, anyway. Good luck to the kid, whichever path he chooses.

Guaranteed money probably didn't hurt his decision...

Definitely a smart decision on his part. His football future wasn't the brightest IMO.

Good decision, i thought he would choose baseball over football. What would you rather do, Get hit by Ray Lewis or let Ken Griffey JR hit a home run off of you????