Samardzija, Jeff (WR/SP/RP)

Beware the Irish Curse!

"What curse?" you might ask. Ask a Mets fan. Ask an Astros fan.

Currently a wide receiver and starting pitcher for the Notre Dame football and baseball teams, Jeff Samardzija as a freshman began his Irish baseball career in the bullpen but rapidly moved into the starting rotation.

He would be wise to maintain that positional choice, should baseball become his post-graduate sport of preference. Quite simply, recent ND graduates in the reliever ranks of MLB have not exactly enjoyed the luck of the Irish.

In fact, if it weren't for bad luck, they may not have any luck at all. While both Aaron Heilman and Brad Lidge have enjoyed respectable careers to date, their exploits in the postseasons of 2005 and 2006 have been less than stellar, with some rather ignominious late-inning non-heroics...

Exhibit A: Aaron Heilman, Game 7, 2006 NLCS


Exhibit B: Brad Lidge, 2005 NLCS & WS

When graduation comes, you must choose wisely, young Jedi.