Blue and Gold Illustrated

January 2015

Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football

Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/434567

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 104 of 115

IRISH IN THE PROS BY ANDREW OWENS J eff Samardzija grew up a White Sox fan in Valparaiso, Ind., which is located 55 miles from Chicago. This spring, he'll finally don the cap of his childhood favorite as a member of the organization. Samardzija, 29, was traded for the second time in six months Dec. 10 when the White Sox acquired him from Oakland. The Athletics, who traded for Samardzija from the Chicago Cubs last July in an effort to win an American League championship, decided to trade the starting pitcher now rather than lose him in free agency next winter. "Being a Chicago guy, that's one of the craziest things I've thought about," Samardzija told reporters of returning to Chicago. "I'm sitting here thinking, 'Now, do I really have to go get my cleats on and go play for the Bears?' If I could skate, maybe the Hawks. My jumper's garbage, so the Bulls are out of the question." Jeff Samardzija Returns Home Samardzija went a combined 7-13 with a 2.99 ERA in 33 starts for the Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics last season. PHOTO BY MICHAEL ZAGARIS/COURTESY OAKLAND ATHLETICS

Articles in this issue

view archives of Blue and Gold Illustrated - January 2015