ValpoLife.com Coverage of Samardzija’s First Major League Start

August 11th Valparaiso High School graduate Jeff Samardzija made his major league starting debut against the Philadelphia Phillies. ValpoLife was there chronicling the event with photos and stories from the evening’s events.

A video we produced, featuring interviews with Cubs GM Jim Hendry and pitcher Sean Marshall can be viewed here.

You can check out the photo gallery of the day's events here, with dozens of great shots from all over Wrigley Field.

Also, you can read Brett's blog update, A View from the Press Box.

Samardzija, filling in for the injured Carlos Zambrano, faced off against future Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez, who also made his season debut, coming off of shoulder surgery that has kept him out most of the past two seasons.

Samardzija has struggled this season for the Cubs’ major league squad coming out of the bullpen, going 1-1 with a 6.29 ERA. However, “The Shark” had prepared most of spring training in the minor leagues to be a starter, accumulating a 5-3 record at AAA Iowa. He had one complete game there and a 3.72 ERA with a 2.65 K/BB ratio.

Samardzija was optioned down to AAA Iowa on Thursday of that week. He was sent down for a fresh releiver and to tinker with his mechanics.