I’m not going to say that I personally know that Samardzija is something of a ladies man and a party animal (I personally know that he is), but lets just say it would be naive to think a young millionaire isn’t having a good time with his nights.  Apparently someone expected a little more from the crappy Cubs pitcher, especially during his minor league days.  On Baseball Reference, someone sponsored his page with an interesting message:

NOBODY was more excited about your choosing baseball over football than I was…HOWEVER…your off the field late night activities while playing here in Daytona with the Cubs were VERY VERY sad…please change your ways and become a role model.

For starters, the guy who wrote that is named “Bootstraps the Bussie”.  I’m not entirely sure what his problem is.  Of all things to focus on with the Cubbies, why Samardzija’s minor league late night antics?  Also, I never heard about anything specific that he did back in 2007.  Let’s just hope Jeff isn’t reading about the mysterious Bootstraps and is working on his pitching.  God he’s awful.

h/t: Midwest Sports Fans

We were able to get a little closer look at what goes on behind the scenes with the Cubs after Mark DeRosa shared the fact that the Cubs have a team fantasy football league last summer.  Bleed Cubbie Blue has now offered us another look at the Cubbies.  This one is is a bit less reliable, but also gives an interesting take on the pecking order in the Cubs clubhouse:

I had been tipped off by the bartender that a number of Cubs players were hanging at another table in the restaurant. Between courses I decided to take a stroll through the lightly populated restaurant. Sure enough, at a large table in the back, I found Mike Fontenot, Kevin Gregg, Aaron Miles, Rich Harden and Reed Johnson seated with a few other guys (tough to remember everyone as I was waltzing past). At a smaller table next to the large one, Sean Marshall and Jeff Samardzija seemed to be banished to the weeds by the older players.

After another drink, I decided to return and let the boys know that while they would likely prefer anonymity on the road, it was my role to wish them the best over the upcoming weekend. They seemed genuinely appreciative, and in our brief exchange, it struck me that Johnson was the ringleader of the group.

As I returned to the bar to finish my drink, I noticed an older, bald gentleman enjoying a beer at the end of the bar. Sure enough, it was Mike Quade, sucking back a Bud Light, oblivious to the youngsters having dinner in the back of the restaurant. I offered Mike a re-fill, which he politely declined, and at this point I was ready to leave as the Cubs Crew had made their way into the casino.

Seems Alfonso Soriano was already seated at a blackjack table — a $10 minimum limit table, I might add — when the dinner crowd caught up to him. I took up a seat across the pit, and while watching these guys, gave back most of my previous winnings. Eventually Soriano left, and according to an informative pit boss, he took $20K in chips with him. Now, that said, he had no idea how much Soriano had bought in at the start, so it wasn’t clear if Fonzie was up or down on the night. The crowd thinned to just two guys, Shark and some other guy (don’t think this guy was a player), with Jeff playing to a large stack of green checks ($25 chips).

I guess Marshall and Samardzija are not allowed at the adults table, and have been relegated to the kids table.  It makes sense though.  Reed being the ringleader makes sense, since he seems well-liked and is known for being a good clubhouse presence.  Also I would love to have a few beers with an old baseball man like Quade.

And how much did Fonzy win?  Enough for another sweet hummer?

• Who is Dempster giving an hj to?  Who cares, this GIF is hilarious. [Luol's Dong]
• The Bulls split their 2 games this week, and it was not pretty. [Pippen Ain't Easy]
• That “billionaire” who wanted a piece of D-Wade was really just some viral marketing campaign from Converse.  Still funny though. [NESW]
• Reed Johnson’s blog is up and running and it’s pretty funny so far.  He’s in love with the Cubbies pitching prospect Patton.  Also he rips on Fontenot for shopping at Gap Kids. [Reed Between The Lines]
• White Sox opener is postponed due to snow.  Snow?  It’s April! [Sun-Times]
• The “Give a Shit” timeline starring Jay Cutler trade rumors.  Hilarious for most, but with special meaning for us Bears fan. [Sports Hernia]
• Gaudin is released and the Shark is sent back to Iowa.  And the Cubs roster is set. [Wrigleyville23]
• Bronco’s Owner: “It is important that you know that at all times we represented ourselves to Jay with honesty and integrity.” Right. [ESPN]
• Michigan State vs North Carolina in the championship game?  That can’t be right, because all the east coast media talked about all year was how great the Big East was…and don’t forget those 3 number 1 seeds. [Deadspin]

• Jeff Samardzija will get the first opportunity as the fifth starter for the Cubs.  Too bad I already lost my bet that he would start before Brady Quinn.  [Tribune]
• Wonderlic my balls, cap-i-tan.  Rich Eisen takes the Wonderlic test and beats every rookie in last year’s class with a 35.  [Awful Announcing]
• Shutdown Corner breaks down the Andre Smith saga and how he may have cost himself around 23 million dollars.  Been there! [Shutdown Corner]
• A short list of winners and losers of the NFL Combine.  Now what did we learn about leaving the combine early and not telling anyone? [The Big Lead]
• Traitor Joe.  Luol’s Dong writes a short letter to departing third baseman Joe Crede.  Have fun playing outside in Minnesota, dirtbag.  [Luol's Dong]
• Top Ten questions for the Chicago Cubs this season.  Honorable mention: Fukudome, terrible by June or terrible by May? [TTCS]
• CC Sabathia had an eventful off-season, signing with the Yankees and all.  One thing is certain though, he didn’t miss one meal during the break.  [Deadspin]