This young man may not be up to speed on the tongues of sportscasters, but he’s had a fantastic career in his short 27 years. When he was a young man growing up in Valparaiso, Indiana, he followed the path of his father and his older brother. Dad was Sam Samardzija, a semi-pro hockey player. His brother, Sam Jr., was an all-state baseball and football player who attended Indiana University. He is now a sports agent for Major League Baseball. This was an active family and played competitive sports.
Jeff attended Valparaiso High School and excelled in soccer, basketball, and baseball. In fact, he excelled in each of these sports. While he was in high school, Jeff’s mother died, dealing a heavy blow to this young man. With the support of family and friends, Jeff persevered and was very successful in his sporting endeavors.
With the spirit of a champion, Jeff was a three-time First Team All-State honoree in football. He was twice named the team’s Most Valuable Players. And, just after his senior year, he was invited to participate in the Indiana All Star football game. In baseball, he was the first team All-State honoree. A good end to his graduation in 2003.
While in his senior year of high school, Jeff caught the eye of numerous college coaches and was offered athletic scholarships. He accepted the offer from the University of Notre Dame…good choice. He played for the Fighting Irish soccer team from 2003 to 2005. As a reserve player, his first two seasons he caught 24 passes. His first start was in 2005 at the Insight Bowl at the end of his sophomore year. Jeff emerged as a star in 2005 finishing the regular season with 77 catches, 15 of them for touchdowns. He amassed 1,215 yards and was selected to numerous All-America teams after being an athletic scholarship winner.
Still improving, Jeff set a single-season school record for receiving yards and touchdowns. He caught a touchdown pass in each of Notre Dame’s first eight games in 2006. This gave him the school record for consecutive games with a touchdown reception. Jeff made 78 receptions for 1,017 yards and 12 touchdowns in 13 games in 1006. He became the Righting Irish’s all-time leader in receiving yards with 2,593. This put him on the Football Writers Association of America’s All America team. Phew!
And don’t forget, he also played for the school’s baseball team from 2004 to 2006. As a pitcher, he made his mark. He finished second in the Big East Conference in earned run average, 2.95. And he was named a Freshman All American by Collegiate Baseball magazine. Jeff continued to play baseball for Notre Dame until he was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the fifth round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft. He was the 149th pick overall. Although he first thought that he would play in both the NFL and MLB, once selected by Chicago, he withdrew from the NFL draft.
Thus began his career in baseball with Chicago. Of course, he started in the minors and worked his way up to the Cubs’ bullpen in July 2008. He had a great debut; striking out the first batter he faced. Manager Lou Piniella was impressed and ready to put Jeff on the fast track to the majors. With some ups and downs to come, Jeff still compiled impressive numbers. With the juggling that happens on a major league team, players can be at the mercy of numbers. But, Jeff continued to play excellent, consistent ball and pitched as well as any pitcher for opposing teams in the minors.
On opening day 2011, Jeff made the Cubs’ roster as a reliever. During that season he posted his best numbers with an 8-4 mark and a 2.97 ERA. This guy nicknamed “Jaws” by players at Notre Dame has five great pitches that he throws regularly. A four-seam fastball that tops out at 99 mph, a two-seam fastball that flies over 96 mph, a 93 mph cutter, an 85 mph slider and a splitter that tops 85 mph.
Well, if the name Jeff Samardzija didn’t ring a bell before… now you can impress your friends with the knowledge of his great achievements.