Dave Bergman won a World Series title with the Detroit Tigers in 1984. (Photo courtesy GoRedbirds.com)
By ISU Sports Information
NORMAL – Former Illinois State baseball All-American and 1980 Percy Family Illinois State Athletics Hall of Fame honoree Dave Bergman died Monday after a battle with cancer. He was 61.
“We are saddened to hear of Dave’s passing and he will be missed,” Illinois State Director of Athletics Larry Lyons said. “He was a gifted athlete during his time here, had an incredible career in pro baseball and moved on to a very successful business career when his playing days were over. Dave was very proud of his Redbird heritage and grateful for what it helped him accomplish on the baseball field and in life. We hope the Bergman family can find peace during this difficult time.”
One of three players in ISU baseball history to have his number retired (No. 12), joining his former coach Duffy Bass (No. 13) and Lee “Buzz” Capra (No. 9), Bergman rewrote the record books in his time at Illinois State and solidified his place among the best athletes in ISU history.
During the 1973 season, Bergman amassed a .400 batting average which ranked No. 28 in the nation that season. Following his sophomore season, Bergman led the prestigious Cape Cod League in hitting with a .342 batting average during the summer. He followed up an impressive sophomore season by being named an All-American outfielder by The Sporting News as a junior in 1974, when he hit .351 and led the team in home runs, runs scored, hits and stolen bases. In three seasons with the Redbirds, Bergman hit .366 with 63 RBIs.
Bergman was drafted by the New York Yankees following his junior season, and went on to win Minor League Player of the Year awards from the National Association of Baseball Writers in both the New York Penn League and the Eastern League in his first two professional seasons. Bergman was well-known for his nine-year career playing for the Detroit Tigers from 1984-92, but amassed a lifetime batting average of .258 in 17 big-league seasons with the New York Yankees, Houston Astros, San Francisco Giants and Tigers.
“It is with heavy hearts we extend our condolences to the family of Dave Bergman,” the Tigers said in a released statement. “Dave was as spirited as a person as he was a player. He will forever hold a special place in Tigers history for the versatile roles he played and his significant contributions as a member of the 1984 World Champion Tigers. We will miss seeing Bergie at the ballpark and in the community.”
During the 1984 season, Bergman hit .273 with seven home runs and 44 RBIs and as a key member of the Tigers’ championship team. His most notable moment that season was a game-winning home run against the Toronto Blue Jays on June 4 at Tiger Stadium. 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 on national television.
The Evanston, Illinois, native is survived by his wife, Cathy, and children, Troy, Bria and Erica. Funeral arrangements have not been finalized; however the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Grosse Pointe Redbirds baseball organization.
