Jeff Samardzija-MLB

Van_Slyke_CF

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Jeff Samardzija was recalled the other day by the Cubs and hopefully will be able to pitch better the last month of the season than he did at the beginning.

In parts of three seasons, Samardzija has pitched in 50 games with a 2-4 record and a 5.89 ERA.

CF members were very disappointed when he chose baseball over football, and rightfully so. We'd all rather see him as a standout WR in the NFL-adding to a critically-endangered species-than as one of many white men with "good stuff" and a chance to be an MLB pitcher.

I bet Samardzija really wanted to play football, regardless of his stated reasons concerning why he chose baseball. The Cubs guaranteed him something like $11 million over 5 years, IIRC, with options for a couple more years that could take the total value to $16 million.

But Samardzija probably could have made a good bit of the guaranteed number as an NFL first-round draft choice a few years ago with the signing bonus and annual salaries.

And it wasn't the increased injury risk playing football either, IMO.

What it really comes down to is that Samardzija was smart enough to realize as a white WR he probably wouldn't have been treated fairly in the NFL, especially if he'd gotten a nagging injury or two or, heaven forbid, dropped a few passes early on in his career. With the odds stacked against him, he took the sure route to riches and a long pro career in baseball, and left the racist B.S. of the NFL for other white players to deal with.

Sadly, I think he made the right choice.
 

JReb1

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If JS BB career doesn't get any better he's still young enough to give FB a try. Once his BB contract is up and if he's still a fringe MLB/AAA player he should give the NFL a try since his BB contract has already secured his future and he'll have nothing to lose. I would love to see him playing WR in the NFL, the dude was a beast at WR!
 

Van_Slyke_CF

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Samardzija has won his last two starts for the Cubs. I guess a return to baseball is out of the question now, but I wish him the best of luck in MLB.
 

icsept

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Jeff proving that, in the long-run, he made a wise choice to play baseball instead of being "blackballed" in the NFL:

Jeff Samardzija signs 5-year, 90 million dollar contract with the Giants

Compare with Jordy Nelson, who is the same age and a best case scenario for a white receiver: Nelson has made $31 million in his career, and will total $57 million if he plays the 3 more years with his current contract. Samardija has already made $53 million, and will reach $140 million with this new contract.

Huge difference between $57 and $140 million, obviously. But both will live comfortably...

Wes Welker has "only" made $41 million.

Source: spotrac.com
 

jaxvid

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Compare with Jordy Nelson, who is the same age and a best case scenario for a white receiver: Nelson has made $31 million in his career, and will total $57 million if he plays the 3 more years with his current contract. Samardija has already made $53 million, and will reach $140 million with this new contract.

Huge difference between $57 and $140 million, obviously. But both will live comfortably...

Wes Welker has "only" made $41 million.

Source: spotrac.com

If there are any white kids in a similar situation (baseball vs. football) out there I hope they take this example to heart. Jordy Nelson is arguably the best at his position and Samardija is a middling pitcher with more "upside" then achievement. So note that real talent by a white guy in the NFL doesn't put him at the top while potential ability for a white guy in MLB does. Quite a difference!

Samardija will also play for many more years and Nelson probably only has a few left. Of course neither will be hurting for money but for those on the margins, it's the difference between not making it and hitting it big.
 
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