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Former Cardinals SS Mark Hallberg is living his dream

Former Cardinal Mark Hallberg Follows His Dream

June 23, 2007

By: Brett Brecheisen - Orleans Cardinals Intern

It’s pretty normal for a little boy, eight or nine years old, to lie in his bed at night and think about meeting his favorite baseball player.  He might fall asleep holding his baseball glove.  There is one thought that is more common, however.  Every baseball loving kid dreams about becoming a professional ballplayer.

That dream came true this past week for a Cardinals’ fan favorite.  INF Mark Hallberg (Florida State) was a member of last year’s Orleans Cardinals and had signed a letter of commitment to return to play for the team this summer.  He was faced with a tough decision when he found out he was drafted on June 8^th in the 9^th round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

“I got a phone call from [Florida State and former Cardinals teammate] Michael Hyde who was watching on the computer.  I was actually golfing.  He called and then everybody started calling.  It was definitely exciting,” Hallberg said.

It wasn’t long before Hallberg realized that he had a very important decision to make.  He could sign the contract presented to him and turn pro now, or he could return to the Cape Cod League for another summer and play at Florida State in the spring where he started all 62 games for the 2007 ACC regular season champions.

“I wanted to wait it out to see what was more beneficial,” Hallberg said.  “I didn’t want to sign for nothing because the scholarship and education I have at FSU is important. It got to a point where I felt like their offer was going to be enough for me to start my life and my career.  It was a hard decision because I enjoyed myself at Florida State so much,” he added.

His scholarship and education meant so much to him that it looked like Hallberg was going to return, both to Orleans and Tallahassee.  In fact, Hallberg left his home in Barron, WI and began his drive up to the Cape last weekend.  It was on his long drive, though, that he got the news he was waiting to hear.

The Diamondbacks increased their offer.  The improved offer (which Hallberg preferred not to discuss) met his expectation, so he turned his car around and headed back home before ever reaching Massachusetts.

Although he ultimately decided against returning to the Cardinals this summer, Hallberg certainly enjoyed the summer of 2006 in Orleans and wished he could be back.

“It was a great experience.  The league, the fans, it was really fun to play there.  I loved Orleans. I really enjoyed playing for Coach Nicholson.  He teaches the game well and also let’s players play. He understands that it’s about the players.  He’s a good  coach.  He’s there for you and he’s going to help make you the best ballplayer you can be.  I really enjoyed playing for him and all of the coaches,” Hallberg said.

It wasn’t just the coaches either that made Hallberg’s stay in Orleans a memorable one. “I just was fortunate to get the opportunity to play there.  The people in Orleans were great people.  I definitely became a better person and player by going up there,” he added.

The next step in the young infielder’s career is the Yakima Bears of the Northwest League where Hallberg is playing shortstop.  After a tough debut in which he went 0-for-4 at the plate on June 19, he bounced back the next day with his first professional hit and scored two runs in the Bears’ first win of the season against the Everett AquaSox.

It all happened so quick for the recent draft pick but he also realizes what kind of opportunity he has ahead of him.

“I’m going to try to go as far as it will take me.  I think you just have to go out and work hard every day.  If you work hard every day and do your best, you will have no regrets.  My goal is to obviously try to make it to the big leagues, but right now I just want to prove myself every day and show people what I can do,” Hallberg said.

Now that his dream of being paid to play the game he loves has come true, he will hope to realize that other dream that little boys have: playing for a Major League Baseball team.