David Berg (pitcher)

{{Infobox MLB player

|name=David Berg

|team=

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|position=Pitcher

|bats=Right

|throws=Right

|birth_date={{birth date and age|1993|3|28}}

|birth_place=Glendora, California, U.S.

| image =

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}}

David Andrew Berg (born March 28, 1993) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he played college baseball for the UCLA Bruins baseball team. He was named an All-American and Pac-12 Conference Baseball Pitcher of the Year in 2013. He set a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) record for saves in a single season with 24. The Texas Rangers selected Berg in the 17th round of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft. He did not sign with the Rangers and returned to UCLA for his senior season. He was then drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the sixth round of the 2015 MLB Draft. He left professional baseball in 2018 without ever playing in the major leagues.

Early life

File:UCLA baseball 2013.jpg for the UCLA Bruins playing at the Los Angeles Regional at Jackie Robinson Stadium on June 1, 2013]]

Berg attended Bishop Amat Memorial High School in La Puente, California, where he played for the school's baseball team as a pitcher. He struggled while attempting to work as a starting pitcher, and in his junior year, his coaches helped him achieve success as a middle relief pitcher when he learned to use the sidearm delivery. He led his school's baseball team to the sectional championship.{{cite web |last=Olson |first=Eric |url=http://theadvocate.com/home/6263536-125/uclas-berg-goes-from-walk-on |title=UCLA's Berg goes from walk-on to star closer | Home | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA |publisher=Theadvocate.com |date=August 25, 2011 |access-date=June 20, 2013 |archive-date=January 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116221206/http://theadvocate.com/home/6263536-125/uclas-berg-goes-from-walk-on |url-status=dead }}

College career

Berg was only recruited by the University of California, Irvine and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).{{cite web|url=http://web.usabaseball.com/article.jsp?ymd=201500521&content_id=125733050&vkey=news_gsa|title=USABaseball.com: News: Golden Spikes Spotlight: David Berg|website=web.usabaseball.com|access-date=May 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729005808/http://web.usabaseball.com/article.jsp?ymd=201500521&content_id=125733050&vkey=news_gsa|archive-date=July 29, 2017|url-status=dead}} Berg enrolled at UCLA, and walked on to the UCLA Bruins baseball team. In 2012, his freshman season, Berg set Bruins and Pac-12 Conference records for appearances while working in middle relief.{{cite web |url=http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_20810751/former-bishop-amat-baseball-standout-berg-shines-ucla?source=rss |title=Former Bishop Amat baseball standout Berg shines as UCLA reliever – LA Daily News |publisher=Dailynews.com |access-date=June 24, 2013 |archive-date=June 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604040211/http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_20810751/former-bishop-amat-baseball-standout-berg-shines-ucla?source=rss |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|date=May 31, 2012|first=Eric |last=Sondheimer |url=http://articles.latimes.com/2012/may/31/sports/la-sp-0531-ucla-berg-20120531 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603004936/http://articles.latimes.com/2012/may/31/sports/la-sp-0531-ucla-berg-20120531 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 3, 2012 |title=Side benefits – Los Angeles Times |publisher=Articles.latimes.com |access-date=June 24, 2013}} As a sophomore, Berg became the closer for the 2013 UCLA Bruins, and pitched to a 7–0 win–loss record, 21 saves, and a 0.88 earned run average (ERA) during the regular season. His 21 saves set a Bruins record and his ERA tied for the best in college baseball.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/durable-david-berg-among-best-ucla-pitchers-ever-and-hes-done-it-all-without-a-scholarship/ |title=Durable David Berg among best UCLA pitchers ever, and he's done it all without a scholarship |publisher=Fox News |date=June 15, 2013 |access-date=June 24, 2013}} He was named the Pac-12 Conference Baseball Pitcher of the Year and a finalist for the National Pitcher of the Year Award in 2013.{{cite web|last=Foster |first=Chris |url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-ucla-david-berg-college-world-series-20130616,0,5281664.story |title=UCLA reliever David Berg is a finalist for pitcher of the year |work=Los Angeles Times |date=June 16, 2013 |access-date=June 20, 2013}}{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/baseball/2013/06/15/ucla-college-world-series-david-berg/2420149/ |title=David Berg, UCLA strive to close a championship hole |publisher=Usatoday.com |date=June 15, 2013 |access-date=June 20, 2013}} He won the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award. was named to the United States national collegiate baseball team in 2012 and 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.ocregister.com/ucla/berg-510085-ucla-year.html|title=UCLA RHP David Berg again named to USA team|date=May 25, 2013|work=OC Register|first=Ryan|last=Kartje|access-date=June 25, 2013}}

With the Bruins, Berg competed in the 2013 NCAA Division I baseball tournament, leading the team to the College World Series national championship against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. The Bruins had a tournament record of 8–0 heading into the Finals. At the Championship Series, Berg set a new NCAA single-season record with his 24th save on June 24, 2013, and he also made his 51st appearance of the season, becoming the first pitcher in NCAA history to record 50 or more appearances in two seasons.[https://www.ncaa.com/news/baseball/article/2013-06-25/berg-breaks-record Berg breaks record] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729002457/http://www.ncaa.com/news/baseball/article/2013-06-25/berg-breaks-record |date=July 29, 2017 }}, NCAA.com, June 25, 2013{{cite web | url=http://sports.omaha.com/2013/06/25/uclas-berg-sets-ncaa-saves-record-by-escaping-yet-again/#.UcnVo_mcd5A | title=UCLA's Berg sets NCAA saves record by escaping yet again | work=Omaha World-Herald | date=June 25, 2013 | access-date=June 25, 2013 | author=Nyatawa, Jon}} The Bruins defeated the Bulldogs for the national title{{cite web|date=June 25, 2013 |first=Mike |last=Hiserman |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-xpm-2013-jun-25-la-sp-ucla-cws-20130626-story.html |title=College baseball: UCLA cruises past Mississippi State, 8–0, to win national title – Los Angeles Times |publisher=Articles.latimes.com |access-date=June 27, 2013}} and Berg was named to the tournament's All-West Region team.{{cite web|last=Foster |first=Chris |url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-david-berg-pat-valaika-ucla-baseball-20130622,0,403211.story |title=UCLA baseball: David Berg, Pat Valaika earn postseason honors |work=Los Angeles Times |date=June 22, 2013 |access-date=June 27, 2013}}

Berg missed time in his junior year due to a biceps strain. He finished the season with a 1.50 ERA and 11 saves. The Texas Rangers selected Berg in the 17th round, with the 516th overall selection, of the 2014 MLB Draft.{{cite web|url=http://www.insidesocal.com/ucla/2014/06/07/relief-pitchers-david-berg-jake-ehret-become-final-bruins-taken-in-mlb-draft/|title=Relief pitchers David Berg, Jake Ehret become final Bruins taken in MLB draft|date=June 7, 2014 |access-date=January 13, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/highschool/varsity-times/la-sp-vi-baseball-david-berg-could-be-returning-to-ucla-20140617-story.html|title=Baseball: David Berg could be returning to UCLA|author=Los Angeles Times|date=June 17, 2014|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=January 13, 2015}} He did not sign with the Rangers and returned to UCLA for his senior season.{{cite web|url=http://www.uclabruins.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=209577804&DB_OEM_ID=30500|title=David Berg to Return to UCLA for Senior Season|work=uclabruins.com|access-date=January 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209152718/http://www.uclabruins.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=209577804&DB_OEM_ID=30500|archive-date=December 9, 2014|url-status=dead}}

On May 15, 2015, James Kaprielian combined with Berg for the first no-hitter in UCLA history. Kaprielian pitched the first nine innings and Berg pitched the tenth inning to complete the no-hitter.{{cite web|url=http://www.uclabruins.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=210092305&DB_OEM_ID=30500|title=James Kaprielian and David Berg Combine for First UCLA No-Hitter - UCLABruins.com - UCLA Athletics|website=www.uclabruins.com}} He finished the year with a 0.68 ERA and 13 saves in 43 appearances, and won his second Stopper of the Year Award.{{cite web|url=http://www.ocregister.com/2015/06/13/ucla-baseball-david-berg-named-ncbwa-stopper-of-the-year/|title=UCLA baseball: David Berg named NCBWA Stopper of the Year|date=June 13, 2015}}

Professional career

The Chicago Cubs selected Berg in the sixth round, with the 173rd overall selection, of the 2015 MLB Draft. Berg signed and spent 2015 with both the Eugene Emeralds and the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, where he posted a 2–1 record with a 1.40 ERA. In 2016, Berg started the season with Myrtle Beach and was later promoted to the Tennessee Smokies; in 43 total games between both clubs, 4–4 record and a 5.17 ERA. He spent 2017 with Tennessee, Myrtle Beach, and the Iowa Cubs, pitching to a combined 4–4 record and 5.16 ERA with a 1.38 WHIP in a career high 61 innings pitched between the three teams.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/player/david-berg-624421|title=David Berg Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball|publisher=Minor League Baseball|access-date=February 19, 2018}}

On March 27, 2018, the Cubs released Berg.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/2018/03/spring-training-prospect-notes-mazzoni-lost-on-waivers-cubs-release-10-other-minor-leaguers/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328063915/http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/2018/03/spring-training-prospect-notes-mazzoni-lost-on-waivers-cubs-release-10-other-minor-leaguers/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 28, 2018|title=Spring Training Prospect Notes: Mazzoni lost on waivers, Cubs release 10 other Minor Leaguers}}

Post-playing career

In 2019, Berg returned to UCLA as a graduate assistant coach.{{cite web|url=https://uclabruins.com/news/2019/1/9/baseball-david-berg-returns-to-ucla-as-undergrad-assistant-coach.aspx|title=David Berg Returns to UCLA As Undergrad Assistant Coach|work=UCLA Bruins|date=January 9, 2019|access-date=February 15, 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://dailybruin.com/2019/02/14/with-hype-and-hopes-high-baseball-sees-chance-to-contend-for-championship/|title=With hype and hopes high, baseball sees chance to contend for championship|first=Sam|last= Connon|date=February 14, 2019|access-date=February 15, 2019}} In 2020 and 2021, he served as the director of baseball operations. In 2022 and 2023, he served as a volunteer assistant coach. In August 2023, he was hired as a full-time assistant coach.{{cite news |title=David Berg Promoted to Assistant Coach |url=https://uclabruins.com/news/2023/8/31/baseball-david-berg-promoted-to-assistant-coach |access-date=24 September 2024 |publisher=UCLA |date=August 31, 2023 |language=en}} In October 2023, however, he was disciplined after slapping a student-athlete during a dinner with coaches, players and recruits at an El Cholo Spanish Cafe in Santa Monica. He was suspended from his position and fined $10,000. He and the school parted ways following the 2024 season.{{cite news |last1=Bolch |first1=Ben |title=UCLA baseball assistant David Berg left after facing sanctions for slapping a player |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/ucla/story/2024-08-03/david-berg-ucla-baseball-leaves-slap |access-date=24 September 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=3 August 2024}}

Awards and honors

June 5, 2015 – Berg was named the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) District IX Player of the Year.[http://www.uclabruins.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=30500&ATCLID=210134291 David Berg Named NCBWA District IX Player of the Year], UCLABruins.com, June 5, 2015