The news came across the wires (and via text messages from friends) yesterday morning that former All-American wide receiver Jeff Samardzija had been called up from AAA to the Cubbies in time for their afternoon game against the 2003 heartbreaker Florida Marlins.  The Shark had been struggling at AA earlier in the season, but since his promotion to AAA on June 23, he went 4-1 with an ERA just above 3 and a good K:BB ratio.

Samardzija got called into duty in the seventh inning, protecting Ryan Dempster's (he of the astounding home-road splits) 2-1 lead.  Samardzija had some control issues early, throwing to the screen on a pitch-out, and eventually gave up the game-tying hit on a pitch that was high, hard and had a lot of movement .  Samardzija settled down for a 1-2-3 eighth, ending his big league debut with two innings pitched, two strikeouts and one earned run allowed on two hits.   How did everyone feel about the afternoon?

"My goal was to come here and show everyone that they can put me in at any situation. I'm pretty upset because Ryan Dempster pitched great. You just can't give that up," said Samardzija after two innings pitched where he struck out two and gave up two total hits.

It was a tough first test for Samardzija. Aside from a botched pitch-out and some wild throws, he did fine as noted by his new manager and the buzz generated inside Wrigley.

"The new kid did fine. He got the sign for the pitch-out, but he threw it to the screen. He's got good stuff, he's gonna help us," commented Lou Piniella.

"I couldn't ask for anything more. The crowd were on their feet, and I just loved it. A pitch here and a pitch there, and it's a different story," summed up Samardzija.

SBNation is home to the center of all Cubs-related internet goings-on, Bleed Cubbie Blue, and they are the best place for analysis on all things North Side.  From Al, the esteemed proprietor of the site:

Jeff Samardzija. It's been said many times on this site and elsewhere that no one can quite figure him out. And after seeing him throw 31 pitches -- 23 for strikes -- in two innings, I still can't figure him out. He's got a funky delivery that can send a pitch to the plate at up to 99 MPH. Or, more correctly, can send a pitch to within the vicinity of the plate; he threw a couple to the backstop, one of which would have been a wild pitch (about fifteen feet over anyone's head back there), except that Hanley Ramirez had broken for second on the pitch and got credit for a stolen base. Then he almost got out of the inning, but Jorge Cantu's ball slithered down the LF line just out of Aramis Ramirez' reach for a game-tying RBI double.

That was the first of two innings Samardzija threw -- coming in and leaving to a large ovation, which I thought was pretty overdone for a kid who's been a pro baseball player for a year and a half. This ain't Notre Dame football any more, people. To be fair, Samardzija, as Dave said to me, had to be pretty "amped" in that first inning. In his second inning of work, he retired the side 1-2-3 and had a nice K of Cody Ross. He's got a chance to be a real good pitcher if he can harness his command -- think of him as Kyle Farnsworth with a brain.

It's funny Al should mention - and may I add, somewhat curmudgeonly - the massive reaction for the former Irish star.  My former roommate Andy lives across the street from the Friendly Confines and attended yesterday's game, sending a quick e-mail that included this in its immediate aftermath.

i went to the game and he pitched two innings. when he got called out of the bullpen in the 6th the crowd busted out into a "lets go irish" chant. it was awsome. i've never felt so cool having gone to notre dame.

So yes, the crowd was very into Samardzija.  The community at BCB also seems to approve of The Shark, with calls for him to be the set-up man and this FanPost breaking down his stuff.

He wasn't perfect as he gave up the tying run however I came away very impressed from his first outing.  His stuff is filthy.  He lit up the radar gun hitting 97,98, and 99 on the radar gun.  But also his stuff had alot of hard, late movement.  He's also got a nasty slider to compliment his fastball.  He has the tools to be a very good pitcher.  However that being said he still needs to get  some polish to be a big league pitcher.

Buster Onley made the comparison of what Joba Chamberlin did to the Yankees bullpen to what Samardzija could do.  In my mind, I remember what Marmol did last year and Jeff could provide a similar unexpected lift to the bullpen.  I know its early but I would love to hear your early impressions of this kid.  All of this couldn't of come at a better time as it looks to begin like Bob Howry old and with Kerry Wood on the DL.

 All the excitement continues today as porcelain doll (beautiful yet fragile) Rich Harden makes his third start for the Cubbies as they attempt to hold off the Brewers in Central, all with Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis singing "Take Me Out To the Ballgame" during the Seventh Inning Stretch.