Fantasy Jesus Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...-home-headlines Jeff Samardzija's dreams of becoming the next Bo Jackson are over. The Cubs announced Friday that the pitcher will forego an NFL career to sign a five-year deal to play baseball full-time, beginning in the team's minor league system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hat Trick Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 Probably a wise move. If I could play both at the pro level I'd chose the less strain on my body sport everytime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fantasy Jesus Posted January 19, 2007 Author Share Posted January 19, 2007 Probably a wise move. If I could play both at the pro level I'd chose the less strain on my body sport everytime. Yep - same here. I didn't know he was a starting pitcher. An SP that throws 100 MPH no less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pope Flick Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 Yep - same here. I didn't know he was a starting pitcher. An SP that throws 100 MPH no less. ND and Cubs fan here. He has speed, but his sr stats aren't all THAT great, ERA in the 4. He pitched A league in Boise over last summer, as the MLB draft was back in June. Also, because baseball contracts are guaranteed, even with signing bonuses form the NFL he stands a very good chance of making more in the long term, even if he never gets past AAA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Swerski Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 Probably a wise move. If I could play both at the pro level I'd chose the less strain on my body sport everytime. He'll also get more money and a guaranteed contract in MLB, so it's definitely the financially-wise move. Too bad he signed with the Cubs, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin3 Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 I'm a little shocked about this but as a Cub fan, won't complain. I think he would have been a solid NFL WR... but would probably be no better than a Joe Jurivicius type. He has star MLB pitcher stuff... so we'll see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hat Trick Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 He'll also get more money and a guaranteed contract in MLB, so it's definitely the financially-wise move. Right...well I thought that part was just a given though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildcat2334 Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 Good move for the kid, especially being a tall, lanky white WR - not too many of those doing well in the NFL, big bust potential in the NFL, grab the dough while you can and go for the MLB career- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa Majoris Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 Absolute no-brainer if you can choose between baseball and football. Guaranteed contracts, less physical punishment, longer career, planned bench time (unless you're Cal Ripken), AAA safety net, etc, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forever in debt to mo lewis Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 cant blame him...especially after the gil meche deal....u can be marginal and still get a guaranteed 60 mil contract...hell some team is still paying kevin appier woulda been a nice fit for the colts though...drops balls at first contact from db's, then gestures like crazy for a flag Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiegie Posted January 20, 2007 Share Posted January 20, 2007 Probably a wise move. If I could play both at the pro level I'd chose the less strain on my body sport everytime. I'll let Darin comment on the long-term health status of the two most recent star Cubs pitchers Kerry Wood and Mark Prior. :snickeringCardinalsfan: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin3 Posted January 20, 2007 Share Posted January 20, 2007 I'll let Darin comment on the long-term health status of the two most recent star Cubs pitchers Kerry Wood and Mark Prior. :snickeringCardinalsfan: Maybe the third time's the charm. Word has it that Prior's shoulder is doing pretty good. Wood's injury, though, is not good. Unfortunately, I think he's done as a starter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brewer Posted January 20, 2007 Share Posted January 20, 2007 He probably also realized that once he was in the NFL that he would stop getting all of the favorable calls from the officiating crews that he was getting while at ND. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa Majoris Posted January 20, 2007 Share Posted January 20, 2007 He probably also realized that once he was in the NFL that he would stop getting all of the favorable calls from the officiating crews that he was getting while at ND. Unless he played for the Steelers...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pope Flick Posted January 20, 2007 Share Posted January 20, 2007 Maybe the third time's the charm. Word has it that Prior's shoulder is doing pretty good. Wood's injury, though, is not good. Unfortunately, I think he's done as a starter. I think it's the opposite: Prior yet again prolly won't be ready for spring training while Wood IS being permanently placed into the bullpen, but they're going to eventually convert him to closer, where he should excel with a lighter workload. Anyways, Samardja isn't anywhere as hyped as those two guys were. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brewer Posted January 20, 2007 Share Posted January 20, 2007 Unless he played for the Steelers...... Good point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fitzkek Posted January 20, 2007 Share Posted January 20, 2007 Probably a wise move. If I could play both at the pro level I'd chose the less strain on my body sport everytime. Yeah, baseball pitchers don't go through much strain. Are you kidding me!? What does a WR get hit hard twice, three times a year? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin3 Posted January 20, 2007 Share Posted January 20, 2007 I think it's the opposite: Prior yet again prolly won't be ready for spring training while Wood IS being permanently placed into the bullpen, but they're going to eventually convert him to closer, where he should excel with a lighter workload. Anyways, Samardja isn't anywhere as hyped as those two guys were. Correct on the Wood point. I think he'll make a heck of a setup guy or closer. But I've heard conflicting reports on Prior. They're being very cautious, which is good. Samardzija is nowhere near as hyped but will eventually be a nice starter, IMO. Zambrano, Lilly, a (hopefully) healthy Prior.... hmmm... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeeR Posted January 20, 2007 Share Posted January 20, 2007 Probably a wise move. If I could play both at the pro level I'd chose the less strain on my body sport everytime. Are the Cubs still considered a pro team? lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin3 Posted January 20, 2007 Share Posted January 20, 2007 Correct on the Wood point. I think he'll make a heck of a setup guy or closer. But I've heard conflicting reports on Prior. They're being very cautious, which is good. Samardzija is nowhere near as hyped but will eventually be a nice starter, IMO. Zambrano, Lilly, a (hopefully) healthy Prior.... hmmm... In fact... Prior's ready! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xMRogers Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 In thinking about this, I think it's another reason I like the NFL best. Most people, in the very fortunate circumstance of this guy, or a Charlie Ward, or anyone who could choose one of two pro sports with one being football, choose the other. It is the wise decision for several reasons : - health - this ones pretty basic - you take all the 60 yr old former NBA, MLB, NFL players - the NFL guys will be in MUCH worse shape - longevity of career - tied to the above, but also the below (which are the reasons behind my first point) - financial assurances - simply put, contracts are guaranteed and potential has made a lot of millionaires - safety net - baseball has teh minors, and the number of options for pro basketball is staggering actually Now, the health reasons are what they are, but the last two help me appreciate the NFL even more - they earn every check, know it could be their last, and they don't make it in the NFL, there's maybe a stop in Arena or Europe, but it's quick and hope you got your degree cause you are going to need it. Makes the players that much more hungry/desparate and each game that much more important. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pope Flick Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 In fact... Prior's ready! Prior made only nine appearances in 2006, going 1-6 with a 7.21 earned run average -- well above his 3.51 career ERA. While Prior works on regaining his pre-injury form, there's the matter of what he'll be paid this coming season. After making $3.65 million last season, Prior is seeking a slight raise to $3.875 million in salary arbitration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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