Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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IRISH IN THE PROS The 2014 campaign marked Sa- mardzija's best season as a profes- sional, with a 2.99 ERA in 33 starts for the Athletics and the Cubs. Now, he returns to Chicago, but this time as a member of what should be one of the league's fiercest starting rotations. "I think we're going to be the most competitive rotation in the league, and I mean that internally," Samardzija said. "The best starting rotations are made when there's three or four guys that want to be the best and they want to go out there and clinch that three- game series or win that Sunday sweep game." The Cubs selected Samardzija — who hauled in 27 touchdown recep- tions during his final two seasons with Notre Dame's football program — in the fifth round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft, and he made his big league debut two years later. Samardzija is entering the final sea- son of his contract and is on course to hit free agency next winter, unless the White Sox sign him to an extension. He is expected to ink a contract that will pay him more than $100 million. "You're so close to it, you really want to experience it," he said of free agency. "But like I said before, when the situation's right, it's right. When the numbers are right, they're right." Along with Samardzija, the White Sox have already made a splash this offseason by adding closer David Robertson from the New York Yan- kees, outfielder Melky Cabrera from Toronto and reliever Zach Duke from Milwaukee. NFL NOTES Through Dec. 15 • Oakland Raiders running back George Atkinson III (2011-13) and New England Patriots linebacker Darius Fleming (2008-11) were both activated in early December and recorded their first game ac- tion of the season. Atkinson has seen action in three games and returned three kickoffs 47 yards (15.9 yards per attempt). He also assisted on one special teams stop. Fleming has also seen action in three contests, but has yet to record any statistics. • Detroit Lions rookie wide receiver TJ Jones will remain on the physically unable to perform list through the remainder of the season due to off- season shoulder surgery. The Lions were 10-4 and in first place in the NFC North through Week 15. • Through Week 15, a total of 33 former Notre Dame players had been active for NFL teams at some point this season. ✦ Notre Dame 3D Stadium View • Original Hand-Drawn Artwork • White Birch Construction with Coffee Bean MDF Frame • Size: 25.5"w x 19.5" h x 3.5" d • 12 lbs. • Handcrafted in Warsaw, Indiana 1-800-421-7751 www.BlueGoldOnline.com Blue & GOld Illustrated • PO Box 2331 • durham, NC 27702 Please Add Sales Tax If Shipping To NC 7.5%, IN 7%, MI 6% Item #6659 $ 199 95 FREE S&H CONt. u.s. ONlY NEW!