Dave Bergman
Encyclopedia
David Bruce Bergman was a Major League Baseball
first baseman, designated hitter, and outfielder.
Born in Evanston, Illinois
, Bergman is an alumnus of Maine South High School
and Illinois State University
. His uniform number 12 was retired at Illinois State in 1994.
Bergman was drafted by the Chicago Cubs
out of high school, but he opted to pursue a college degree rather than sign with his favorite team. At Illinois State, he was voted the team MVP in 1973 and 1974. In 1974, he was named an All-American outfielder by The Sporting News
. He ended his college career with a .366 batting average
and 63 RBI.
Drafted by the New York Yankees
in the 2nd round of the 1974 Major League Baseball Draft
, Bergman was a batting champ and league MVP in each of his first two minor league seasons, first with the New York - Penn League
and then with the Eastern League. He played in only 12 games with the Yankees between 1975 and 1977, before being traded to the Houston Astros
in December 1977. In four years with the Astros from 1978–1981, Bergman was a part-time player who never had more than 186 at bats or one home run in a season.
In April 1981, Bergman was traded to the San Francisco Giants
. In 1983, Bergman appeared in 90 games for the Giants and hit six home runs with a .286 batting average.
On March 24, 1984, Bergman was traded twice; from the Giants to the Phillies, and then from the Phillies to the Tigers. Bergman was the starting first baseman for the Detroit Tigers
team that defeated the San Diego Padres
in the 1984 World Series
. He appeared in 120 games for the 1984 Tigers and had a career-high 44 RBIs and seven home runs.
On June 4, 1984, Bergman came to bat in the 11th inning with two men on base and two outs in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Bergman fouled off seven pitches, and on a full count hit the 13th pitch of the at bat into the upper deck at Tiger Stadium for a walk-off, three-run home run. In his book, Bless You Boys, Detroit manager, Sparky Anderson
, wrote, "Tonight I saw the greatest at bat in my life...Bergie fouled off seven pitches and then picked one practically off the ground and drilled it into the upper deck in right. What a battle! Bergie was up there a full seven minutes."
He hit a career high .294 for the Tigers in 1988, and in August 1989, he broke up a Nolan Ryan
no-hitter with a one-out single in the 9th inning.
Bergman played 9 seasons for the Tigers, with most of his time being spent as useful a left-handed batting platoon
or reserve player. During his last seasons, he split time at first base with Cecil Fielder
, and would also serve as a defensive replacement. Despite not usually hitting for a high batting average
(.258 career), he finished his career with a solid Adjusted OPS of 101. Bergman was noted for his strike zone judgment, and accumulated more base on balls
than strikeout
s over the course of his career (380 to 347).
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
first baseman, designated hitter, and outfielder.
Born in Evanston, Illinois
Evanston, Illinois
Evanston is a suburban municipality in Cook County, Illinois 12 miles north of downtown Chicago, bordering Chicago to the south, Skokie to the west, and Wilmette to the north, with an estimated population of 74,360 as of 2003. It is one of the North Shore communities that adjoin Lake Michigan...
, Bergman is an alumnus of Maine South High School
Maine South High School
Maine South High School, or MSHS, is a public four-year high school located in Park Ridge, Illinois, a north-west suburb of Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. It is part of Maine Township High School District 207, which also includes Maine East High School and Maine West High School.Maine...
and Illinois State University
Illinois State University
Illinois State University , founded in 1857, is the oldest public university in Illinois; it is located in the town of Normal. ISU is considered a "national university" that grants a variety of doctoral degrees and strongly emphasizes research; it is also recognized as one of the top ten largest...
. His uniform number 12 was retired at Illinois State in 1994.
Bergman was drafted by the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
out of high school, but he opted to pursue a college degree rather than sign with his favorite team. At Illinois State, he was voted the team MVP in 1973 and 1974. In 1974, he was named an All-American outfielder by The Sporting News
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
. He ended his college career with a .366 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
and 63 RBI.
Drafted by the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
in the 2nd round of the 1974 Major League Baseball Draft
1974 Major League Baseball draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1974 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :With the number one pick of the June regular phase, San Diego tabbed infielder Bill Almon from Brown University, one of six shortstops selected in round one...
, Bergman was a batting champ and league MVP in each of his first two minor league seasons, first with the New York - Penn League
New York - Penn League
The New York – Penn League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the northeastern United States. It is classified as a "Short-Season A" league; its season starts in June, after major-league teams have signed their amateur draft picks to professional contracts, and ends in early...
and then with the Eastern League. He played in only 12 games with the Yankees between 1975 and 1977, before being traded to the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
in December 1977. In four years with the Astros from 1978–1981, Bergman was a part-time player who never had more than 186 at bats or one home run in a season.
In April 1981, Bergman was traded to the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. In 1983, Bergman appeared in 90 games for the Giants and hit six home runs with a .286 batting average.
On March 24, 1984, Bergman was traded twice; from the Giants to the Phillies, and then from the Phillies to the Tigers. Bergman was the starting first baseman for the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
team that defeated the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
in the 1984 World Series
1984 World Series
The 1984 World Series began on October 9 and ended on October 14, 1984. The American League champion Detroit Tigers played against the National League champion San Diego Padres, with the Tigers winning the series four games to one....
. He appeared in 120 games for the 1984 Tigers and had a career-high 44 RBIs and seven home runs.
On June 4, 1984, Bergman came to bat in the 11th inning with two men on base and two outs in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Bergman fouled off seven pitches, and on a full count hit the 13th pitch of the at bat into the upper deck at Tiger Stadium for a walk-off, three-run home run. In his book, Bless You Boys, Detroit manager, Sparky Anderson
Sparky Anderson
George Lee "Sparky" Anderson was an American Major League Baseball manager. He managed the National League's Cincinnati Reds to the 1975 and 1976 championships, then added a third title in 1984 with the Detroit Tigers of the American League. He was the first manager to win the World Series in both...
, wrote, "Tonight I saw the greatest at bat in my life...Bergie fouled off seven pitches and then picked one practically off the ground and drilled it into the upper deck in right. What a battle! Bergie was up there a full seven minutes."
He hit a career high .294 for the Tigers in 1988, and in August 1989, he broke up a Nolan Ryan
Nolan Ryan
Lynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. , nicknamed "The Ryan Express", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently principal owner, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers....
no-hitter with a one-out single in the 9th inning.
Bergman played 9 seasons for the Tigers, with most of his time being spent as useful a left-handed batting platoon
Platoon system
The platoon system in baseball is a method of designating two players to a single defensive position—usually one right-handed and one left-handed. Typically the right-handed half of the platoon is played on days when the opposing pitcher is left-handed and the left-handed player is played otherwise...
or reserve player. During his last seasons, he split time at first base with Cecil Fielder
Cecil Fielder
Cecil Grant Fielder is a former professional baseball player who was a noted power hitter in the 1980s and 1990s. He attended college at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas . He played with the Toronto Blue Jays , Detroit Tigers , New York Yankees , Anaheim Angels and Cleveland Indians...
, and would also serve as a defensive replacement. Despite not usually hitting for a high batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
(.258 career), he finished his career with a solid Adjusted OPS of 101. Bergman was noted for his strike zone judgment, and accumulated more base on balls
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
than strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s over the course of his career (380 to 347).