Jeff Samardzija played college baseball and football for the University of Notre Dame, and was recognized as a two-time All-American wide receiver.
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34 Facts About Jeff Samardzija
2.
Jeff Samardzija was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the fifth round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft, and made his major-league debut in 2008.
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3.
Jeff Samardzija played in the MLB for the Chicago Cubs from 2008 to 2014, the Oakland Athletics in 2014, the Chicago White Sox in 2015, and the San Francisco Giants from 2016 to 2020.
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4.
When Jeff Samardzija was in high school his mother, Debora Jeff Samardzija, died from a rare respiratory disease.
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5.
Jeff Samardzija grew up in Valparaiso, Indiana, where he attended Valparaiso High School, and was a letterman in football, basketball, and baseball.
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6.
Jeff Samardzija accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Notre Dame, where he played for the football team from 2003 to 2006, and baseball team from 2004 to 2006.
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7.
Jeff Samardzija continued to play baseball at Notre Dame until he was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 5th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft.
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8.
Jeff Samardzija first started at the 2004 Insight Bowl at the end of his sophomore season.
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9.
Jeff Samardzija emerged as a star in the 2005 season, ending the regular season with 77 catches – 15 of them for touchdowns – for 1,215 yards and making numerous All-America Teams.
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10.
Jeff Samardzija set single-season school records in both receiving yardage and touchdown receptions.
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11.
Jeff Samardzija caught a touchdown pass in each of Notre Dame's first eight games in 2006, giving him the school record for consecutive games with a touchdown reception.
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12.
Jeff Samardzija made 78 catches for 1,017 yards and 12 touchdowns in 13 games in the 2006 season to finish as the all-time Fighting Irish leader in reception yards with 2,593.
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13.
Jeff Samardzija made the Football Writers Association of America All-America Team following the 2006 season.
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14.
Jeff Samardzija was twice selected as one of the three finalists for the Fred Biletnikoff Award, for the nation's top wide receiver in both 2005 and 2006.
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15.
On January 19,2007, Jeff Samardzija announced he would forgo the NFL Draft and commit to a baseball career.
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16.
Jeff Samardzija signed a five-year deal to play baseball with the Chicago Cubs.
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17.
On July 25,2008, Jeff Samardzija was called up to join the bullpen of the Chicago Cubs to replace Kerry Wood, who was placed on the DL.
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18.
Jeff Samardzija made his MLB debut the same day against the Florida Marlins, striking out the first batter he faced in the 7th inning.
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19.
On July 27,2008, Jeff Samardzija recorded his first career major league save against the Florida Marlins.
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20.
In 2009, Jeff Samardzija was optioned to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs after failing to make the team out of spring training.
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21.
Jeff Samardzija quickly returned to Des Moines to pitch for the Iowa Cubs, after posting an 8.
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22.
In March 2010, Jeff Samardzija returned to the Cubs and pitched his first game in exhibition on March 13,2010.
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23.
Jeff Samardzija threw his first major league shutout on May 27,2013 against the Chicago White Sox, allowing two hits and two walks.
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24.
Jeff Samardzija won his eleventh start of the season by striking out a season-high 10 San Francisco Giants.
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25.
Jeff Samardzija made his first start for the White Sox on April 6,2015, during opening day against the Kansas City Royals.
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26.
Jeff Samardzija was selected as an alternate for 2017 World Baseball Classic, although he would not be included on the final rosters.
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27.
Jeff Samardzija earned his first win as a Giant on April 13,2016, yielding only two earned runs and six hits in 8 innings pitched at Coors Field.
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28.
Jeff Samardzija matched his career-high for a season of 3 RBIs in the game.
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29.
Jeff Samardzija finished the 2017 season with a National League leading 207.
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30.
On September 26,2020, Jeff Samardzija was designated for assignment by the Giants and placed on release waivers.
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31.
Jeff Samardzija has thrown as many as seven types of pitches in his career, but as of 2016, he used six.
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32.
Jeff Samardzija is comfortable throwing all of his pitches for strikes.
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33.
Jeff Samardzija is of Serbian descent; his grandparents emigrated to the United States in the 1940s.
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34.
Jeff Samardzija was nicknamed "Shark" by teammates during his career at Notre Dame.
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