I had already decided what I wanted to talk about today, but I got an email suggesting a theme for an entry that was kind of interesting...so I'll do both.
First of all...yesterday's game proved to me that my dream of Jeff getting to play outfield at some point is not so far fetched. If you watched the game, you saw Sean Marshall go to left and Heilman come in for one batter. Yes, I said Sean Marshall. There was a pitcher in the outfield. How awesome is that? Unfortunately, it was the
WRONG pitcher. Still, it gives me hope that someday Sweet Lou might humor me and give Hot Legs a go out there...even if it's just for one batter. I can't even begin to tell you how amazing that would be.
Now to the email. I get occasional suggestions on things people want me to talk about. A lot of times it has to do with music and playlists...and I promise I'll get to one of those eventually. This one hit me as kind of fun though, because I'm constantly talking about this to my friends anyway, and they are constantly telling me that I want to know the absolute dumbest stuff. We did that Q&A a long time ago with Jeff where you guys asked the questions, but I didn't do too many of my own. Basically my curiosity doesn't run along the same lines as "what's your favorite color?". Anyway...the email asked me if there was anything I
didn't know about Jeff and would I do an entry about that. Things I'm curious about that I don't know. So here goes.
I've already told you guys once that I used to love it when he'd blog about mundane things like ordering the 5 for 5 at the Arby's drive through. That's all me right there. That's my kind of stuff. So I guess one thing I think would be interesting to know is...what's always in the fridge at the Samardzija homestead. They always show you on Cribs...but since Jeff's not done one of those (yet), what are the "must have's" as far as the fridge goes. We know he's got Oatmeal Crunch ice cream in the freezer...but what else is in there? Something else I've always wondered about, not just about him, but all professional athletes... Once you're playing a sport day in and day out, do you still want to watch it on TV when you're not playing? In other words, does playing baseball, kind of take away the desire to be a baseball fan in the off time? I'm guessing maybe it's more relaxing to just stay away from it totally, but then maybe not. Same thing with football. Another stupid curiosity that we discussed ad nauseum last weekend...since he has the choice of several bad ass rides to cruise around in. What dictates which one of those rides is chosen on a particular day. Just whatever mood he's in, or the Escalade doesn't come out in the rain/snow, or what? Stupid question? Yeah, but that doesn't stop me from wondering. Another one...When you play a game at night and then an afternoon game the next day, is it just a straight home and nothing else kinda thing? It's kind of a unique to the Cubs kind of situation, since most teams don't play the number of day games we do, but I've always wondered. Is it just too much to go out after those games, with having to get up and go back to the ballpark early the next day? I know he's said before he usually hits the drive through somewhere and grabs some food after, but then what? Go home, lay around on the couch and then to bed? Somehow I can't believe that, but maybe I'm wrong ;) And as always, I have those deep, thought provoking questions like... if you knew a tornado was going to hit your house and you only had 5 minutes to grab everything you could save, what would those things be? Somebody asked me that once, and my first answer was "my laptop". Pitiful, huh? Those are my kind of questions. I put a lot of thought into the things I want to know I guess...probably way too much thought. Isn't there a saying about curiosity killing the cat? Probably applies to me.
Now, my original idea for this entry was centered around the All Star Break. Yay for vacations, sleeping in, etc. Hope he enjoys his days off. Can't imagine that's really much of a break, but I guess when you play nearly every single day for 7-8 months, anytime you get more than one day off in a row it's a welcome thing. What exactly does a Jeff Samardzija do during an All Star break? Probably as little as possible. At least that's what he
SHOULD do. I'm hoping he takes some well deserved time off and just chillaxes for a bit. Last year he did some of this:

Ah, the good ole days...when we actually got reports from the man himself on how things were going...and pictures like that one. That made me happy for a long, long time. I miss those days. I know you guys do to. Is it just me, or does it seem like this was more than just a year ago? A lot has changed I guess...
As much as I wish he might do some of this

I know it probably won't happen. Who knows though. Maybe he'll surprise us. I check the website
obsessively daily so I'll let you know if anything changes.
Ever notice how all the "just hanging around" pics are of Jeff and Sammy?

Always nice to know he's keeping the family close. Family is always a safe haven. Friends are great, but family is where the trust lies. At least in our family it is. Pretty sure these two are the same way.
Maybe a little bit of this?

And some time with the friends....and the ladies.

(Did you like the way I found a totally lame excuse to throw this picture on here? - It can never make too many appearances). Now don't get all freaked out because there's a picture of Jeff with some girls on here. Every time I post this, people go crazy, some for obvious reasons, and others because there are females involved. Get a grip...he's not a monk. I'm pretty sure he's not spending
ALL his time hanging out with his boys. This picture is definitely in the Samardzijapalooza Hall of Fame. I know you guys always enjoy it.
Hopefully Mr. Sexy enjoys his days off and doesn't get too bored. (I doubt that's going to happen). I'll be spending my time watching the Homerun Derby and All Star Game. Even though there's no one I really want to see in the Derby, I'll watch it just to see some bombs and the adorable little kids with their daddies on the field. I love that part. It's the only time you get to see that side of those guys, and it just makes them so much more likable. Especially guys like Fielder, who I can't stand normally. The interaction with those little kids is just precious. And the All Star Game...let's just hope for a National League win for a change. I'm so sick of seeing the AL put it to us. Maybe this year is the year.