#89 Jeff Samardzija - San Francisco Giants

Player: Jeff Samardzija (Baseball Reference) (Wikipedia)

Card Number: 89 (Trading Card Database)

Team: San Francisco Giants

Division: National League West

Position: P

Jersey Number: 29
RC/Future Stars/Topps Rookie Cup: No

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JULY 26: Jeff Samardzija #29 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the top of the first inning at AT&T Park on July 26, 2017 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Game Date: July 26, 2017
Opponent: Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium: AT&T Park
Home/Away: Home
Game Outcome: Giants 2, Pirates 1
Win/Loss: Win
Player Game Line: 7 IP, 4 Hits, 1 ER, 8 Ks
Photographer: Thearon W. Henderson
New Team/Photoshopped?: No

Birthdate: January 23, 1985

Birthplace: Merrillville, IN

Bats: Right

Throws: Right

MLB Service Years: 10

Social Media Handles: None?

Something I learned because of this card: Samardzija spent a lot of time with the Cubs and has been rumored to be on his way back to Chicago several times over the years. After looking at the back of his card and the time he spent with the White Sox, how odd is it that Samardzija led the league in Hits, Runs and Earned Runs in 2015 but also tied for the league lead in shutouts?

This is Samardzija's fourth appearance in Opening Day and reappears after a two year hiatus.

Samardzija was featured in Series 1 and the Factory team set but in a weird turn of events, Topps used the same photo in Opening Day but with a different crop. Interesting. I put the OD card down here again so you can see them side by side without scrolling up. Blink and you might have missed it!