MESA, Ariz. | Jeff Samardzija's famous mane came with him to Cubs training camp, but it quickly became hair today, gone tomorrow.
The Valparaiso native's locks drew the eye of new Cubs manager Lou Piniella.
"I like everything I saw, but the hair," Piniella told MLB.com on Thursday. "It could use a little trim."
So when the team worked out on Friday Samardzija's hair was only slightly shorter, still protruding from his hat.
A former standout at Notre Dame as a wide receiver and a pitcher, Samardzija would have been at the NFL Scouting Combine next week had the Cubs not persuaded him to sign a seven-year, $16.5 million deal under the condition that he abandon football aspirations.
The rookie right-hander is expected to open the season at Class A Daytona.
Following his junior season last January, Samardzija got a haircut and was filmed for a news broadcast by a Fox affiliate in South Bend.
Sox fans will recall that last season chairman Jerry Reinsdorf ordered several players, including A.J. Pierzynski and Joe Crede, to get haircuts.
