1000 Words: Happy 28th Jeff Samardzija
(Photo by Stephen Green)
Cubs starter Jeff Samardzija turns 28 years old today. In his first full season in the rotation, Samardzija went 9-13 with a 3.81 ERA in 174.2 innings before being shut down following a complete game gem on Sept. 8. The Cubs announced they had come to terms on a one-year, $2.64 million deal with the right-hander at last weekend’s Cubs Convention, where Samardzija was asked how he felt about the possibility of getting an Opening Day start.
‘‘That would be a 180, right?’’ he said. ‘‘To go from maybe wondering if you’re ever going to put a Cubs jersey on again two years ago at this event to maybe being the Opening Day starter. It means a lot to me’’
