Player Profile: Mike Berger

I have one card of Mike Berger, from 1989 ProCards.

Playing career: Mike Berger is one of a select number of ballplayers who played in over 1,000 minor league games without reaching the major leagues. A catcher, outfielder and first baseman, he played in the Pirates organization from 1980 to 1986, the Expos organization in 1987 and 1988, and the Rangers organization from 1989 to 1993. He hit .261 with 91 HR and 461 RBI. A fuller account of his career can be found at The Greatest 21 Days.

Where he is now: Vice President and Assistant General Manager for the Miami Marlins.

My memories: Only know him from his card.

Interesting stories: Night Owl would appreciate this one. Berger was known as a practical joker in his time in the minor leagues. One time, Berger fooled a reporter for a small Oklahoma newspaper into thinking he was teammate Nick Capra. He told the reporter he was thinking of quitting baseball to run a gas station. The gag was discovered less than two hours before the paper was going to print, causing the editor to have to redo the entire front page in a hurry.

Google Autocomplete results: He is second when you type Mike Berg, between Mike Bergen Korn Ferry, a recruiter in the firm’s Sports and Human Resources practices, and Mike Berger MSKCC, referring to a cancer research scientist. Another prominent Mike Berger is Director, Office of Student Engagement at NYU Stern.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Peter Bergeron.