| Mark Hamburger | |
| Position: | Pitcher |
| Birth Date: | 5 February 1987 |
| Birth Place: | St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Bats: | Right |
| Throws: | Right |
| Debutleague: | MLB |
| Debutdate: | August 31 |
| Debutyear: | 2011 |
| Debutteam: | Texas Rangers |
| Finalleague: | MLB |
| Finaldate: | September 26 |
| Finalyear: | 2011 |
| Finalteam: | Texas Rangers |
| Statleague: | MLB |
| Stat1label: | Win–loss record |
| Stat1value: | 1–0 |
| Stat2label: | Earned run average |
| Stat2value: | 4.50 |
| Stat3label: | Strikeouts |
| Stat3value: | 6 |
| Teams: | |
Mark John Hamburger (born February 5, 1987) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers in 2011.
Hamburger attended Mounds View High School in Arden Hills, Minnesota and was a multi-sport athlete playing basketball, rugby, tennis, football, and baseball.[1] After graduating from high school in 2005, Hamburger attended and played baseball at Mesabi Range College where he posted an 11-0 record and a 0.65 ERA.[1]
The summer following Hamburger's season of collegiate baseball, he attended a try-out for the Minnesota Twins that was held at the Metrodome in 2007.[2] Hamburger was signed by the Twins after the try-out, received a $2,000 signing bonus, and was assigned to the Gulf Coast League Twins.[2]
During the 2008 season, Hamburger was assigned to the Elizabethton Twins where he won closer of the year.[3]
After two years in the Twins' minor league system, Hamburger was traded to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Eddie Guardado on August 25, 2008.[3]
Hamburger was called up to the majors for the first time on August 30, 2011.[4]
He was claimed off of waivers by the San Diego Padres on June 25, 2012, and placed on their Triple-A team, the Tucson Padres.[5]
For the second time in 2012, he was claimed off waivers by the Houston Astros on July 21.
In February 2013, Hamburger received a 50-game suspension without pay after a second violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program for a drug of abuse.[6]
On September 4, 2013, the Minnesota Twins signed Hamburger to a minor league deal.[7] He elected free agency on November 6, 2015.[8]
On April 12, 2016, Hamburger signed with the St. Paul Saints.
Hamburger played the Australian Baseball League 2016-17 season (November - February) with the Melbourne Aces that won the regular season but lost the final to the Brisbane Bandits. He was the league leader for ERA (1.90).[9]
On April 20, 2017, Hamburger signed with the St. Paul Saints of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball. On September 11, 2017, Hamburger was traded to the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. On September 29, 2017, Hamburger was traded back to the St. Paul Saints.
Hamburger returned to the Melbourne Aces of the Australian Baseball League for the 2017/18 season.
On March 23, 2018, Hamburger was traded by the St. Paul Saints to the New Britain Bees of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He became a free agent following the 2018 season.
From open tryout with buddy (Justin Hemauer) to the big leagues.