I felt a little guilty going to the baseball kick-off dinner because like so many other people there, I wanted to meet the Shark. But I found the team to be a great bunch of guys and I'm looking forward to seeing some of their games (everyone there got season tickets). And if Jeff S's recent celebrity status means the rest of the team can expect more fans in the stands, so much the better.
Joe | Email | Homepage | 02.14.06 - 4:48 pm | #

While Jeff is a superb WR and rated highly with Mel Kiper and other NFL gurus, one must also compare the economics and career lifespan between football and baseball. Baseball - guaranteed money, and average pitchers at the MLB level can go into their mid 30s. Football - very little guaranteed money (must get that second contract to really hit a pay day) the ability to get cut without pay at any time, and a career lifespan known for its short length (NFL stands for "not for long"). Football sympathists would probably prefer him to go to the NFL; but baseball might be the better economical option given the potential career length and salary. However, that decision is up to Jeff, and it appears that it will be a hard one.

Coach Mainieri's quote about Jeff keeping both futures open is right on par in my book. I applaud the ability for both Coaches to think of whats best for Jeff and both the baseball and football team. Whatever sport Jeff chooses, I hope he finds success and remains in the spotlight for years to come.
Elliot Pope | Email | Homepage | 02.14.06 - 7:32 pm | #

Whichever Jeff chooses, I hope he excels in. I think if he can virtually guarantee a first or early-second round NFL draft slot though, he should probably go with that. Yes, the money in MLB is guaranteed and you can play longer, but how long does it take to make the bigs, if you ever do? Pitching prospects, in particular, are hard to predict. If he's going in the first round in the NFL, he'll pick up a big signing bonus, which he keeps unless he pulls a T.O or is stupid like the Cleveland TE. Four or five years to get a second payday, plus he gets a pension after four years (I think that's right).
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 02.14.06 - 7:47 pm | #

Kinda reminds me of my choice between 16" softball and spring soccer for the dorm. It was hell. I think I choose Bookstore BBall and lost in the first round to a team from Lyons.
Yago | Email | Homepage | 02.14.06 - 11:53 pm | #

Football? Baseball? Hope he has fun and enjoys life to its fullest. Anyway you look at it, a professional sports career is a short term thing. Jeff will always have a Notre Dame education and degree. What he does with the forty (or fifty) years of his life after his professional sports job is more important.
dbldomer7375 | Email | Homepage | 02.15.06 - 8:00 am | #

i agree with johnwa. my high school baseball coach pitched in the minors for about 7 years but only actually played in 1 pro game after being called up because of injuries. Coming out of college, he was also in the top 100 prospects (he went to University of Kentucky). He said he pulled in around $30k a yr .... for 7 years.... $210k. -- far short of any early-round NFL signing bonus. economically, if he can invest his signing bonus....the shark would thrive more in the nfl.

also, a common injury in pitchers in the major leagues is a torn rotator cuff. a lot of guys get surgery on their shoulder, and then they dont quite pitch the same afterwards. if you are in the minors and have to get surgery, you can kiss your MLB pitching dreams goodbye -- they want reliability and durability, and if you are already having physical problems in the minors, they will just pass you by.
njuneardave | Email | Homepage | 02.15.06 - 9:56 am | #

Picking between playing one of two of the highest profile professional sports in our nation, and thus, the world? My God, what an awful, awful problem to have. Now, let me get back to my grunt IT job fixing viruses on people's pc's...
Wooderson | Email | Homepage | 02.15.06 - 10:49 am | #

Well, his professional sports career seems likely enough at this point that he's in a different position than a recruit. That is, his professional sports career is of more than short term relevance, because it will likely fund his endeavors afterward.
That said, sheer morbid curiosity prompts me to ask - where is Jake Lockyer ranked? The Ferndale HS recruit choosing between baseball and Tyball?
Zona | Email | Homepage | 02.15.06 - 11:39 am | #

How bout the shark pulling a "Bo Jackson"-running back from auburn who played baseball for the royals and in the nfl for the raiders. It wouldnt last long but he could definately see what his potential would be in each sport and make the dicision on his bect interest.
Matt T | Email | Homepage | 02.16.06 - 8:30 am | #

Right, there are no injuries in the NFL. Signing bonuses in baseball in the first 2-3 rounds are right at $1million or more. The minors is an argument, but for those that toil in the minors in baseball, the same talent level guys in the NFL are out of football COMPLETELY or in Europe. If you're good in either league, you'll play. Injury in football is just as common as injuries to pitchers. All that aside, you can play longer and make MUCH more of an average salary as an MLB player over and NFL player.
Elliot Pope | Email | Homepage | 02.16.06 - 1:51 pm | #

Yeah, but baseball sucks...
Brad | Email | Homepage | 02.16.06 - 2:05 pm | #

Football is the easy choice (if he likes both sports the same), and I'm a baseball fan. More guaranteed money, and every baseball stathead knows TINSTAAPP

There Is No Such Thing As A Pitching Prospect. No matter how highly rated you are as a pitching prospect the vast majority never pan out. In other words, the chance of success for a first/second round receiver is much higher than a first round pitcher.
Matt | Email | Homepage | 02.16.06 - 2:38 pm | #

baseball does not suck. that is a patently false statement.

cheers!
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 02.20.06 - 4:15 pm | #