Samardzija Wins "Bobblehead" Game Today!

You know you've hit the "big time" when your team runs a "bobblehead" promotion like the Chicago Cubs did today for former Notre Dame football All-American Jeff Samardzija (see photo).

Samardzija pitched seven strong innings before turning the ball over to reliever Jeff Camp in the 8th.  Jeff also knocked in a run with a base hit -- as he earned his fifth win of the season.  His ERA now stands at a sterling 3.09!

LINK:  SAMARDZIJA WINS AGAIN!

Toughest Schedule in the Nation -- Notre Dame

CBS college football analyst Bruce Feldman picks Notre Dame's 2012 football schedule as the toughest in the country.  No surprise here.

The IRISH have five potential top 15 programs on their schedule this season; Michigan State, Michigan, Oklahoma, Stanford and that school in "central Los Angeles."

Here's the link:

LINK:  TOUGHEST FOOTBALL SCHEDULE IN AMERICA

The Stanley Cup & the University of Notre Dame

It's the greatest trophy in all of professional sport -- the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup.  Since 1893, only five former Notre Dame students have had their names etched on the Cup:

• 1976, 1977 and 1978:  Bill Nyrop, Montreal Canadiens
• 1984 and 1985:  Don Jackson, Edmonton Oilers
• 2008:  Brett Lebda, Detroit Red Wings
• 2009:  Mark Eaton, Pittsburgh Penguins
• 2010:  Stan Bowman, Chicago Blackhawks

The 2012 Stanley Cup begins tomorrow night as the Los Angeles Kings take on the New Jersey Devils.