A Charmed Life: All About NJ Jackals First Baseman Jabe Bergeron

Jabe Bergeron gets how charmed his life is because the New Jersey Jackals first baseman knows how fortunate he is to be playing professional baseball for a living.

It's rare when a ball player–whether he's a major leaguer or playing in the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball [Can-Am League] like Bergeron–can admit that his regular job is something to be cherished. The five-year pro vet admits that life is good, even if the majors never call.

During his first season with the Jackals, Bergeron has seen at least three teammates get signed to Major League Baseball contracts. He admits there is never any jealousy or animosity towards the call-ups and added he's happy they get to live a lifelong dream. But even if he never tastes the rarified MLB-air himself, he insists he's happy with just the way things have been turning out for him.

"I just enjoy playing the game," said the burly 6'3, 245-pound slugger. "If this is my big leagues then that's fine with me because I get paid to play–maybe not much–but I'm having fun. Plus, every day I get to swing it—I love to hit—so it's been great."

Bergeron, who's made it as far as the New York Mets' farm system, playing ball for the Brooklyn Cyclones right after college during the summer of 2004, said it's a "dream" of his to make the majors–especially after having a small taste of big-league life.

"I'd love to [make the majors]. I'm sure it's everyone's dream and it's been mine since I was a kid," said Bergeron who as a Cyclone played with such rising stars as Lastings Milledge and Matt Lindstrom. "But every year you get older and a little more creaky. But I still can swing it. Actually I'm a better fielder now than five years ago but now my body's worse. I'd still love to get picked up but what are the percentages?"

However, it turns out when the Jackals' season ends in early September–just in time for the MLB pennant races—the 28-year-old Bergeron said he's just enjoying the ride. He had the look of a man content with life, as he graciously sat down for a chat prior to his first-place Jackals taking the field on Tuesday. Bergeron, a New Hampshire native, said life right now couldn't be more fulfilling as he and wife Kristen are expecting their first child any week now. Kristen, who's been known to help Jabe with his swing, is eight months pregnant.

About the only downside, Bergeron admits, is not having Kristen at every home game. Currently residing in New York City, he said he's also regretful when he misses things like an ultra-sound.

"It's tough being away from her actually, especially when I miss stuff like an ultra-sound," he said. "The baby could come in the next few weeks and could be born while I'm on the road, so that's a little tough."

Bergeron then sheepishly grinned and said, "There's not much to go with me. I just play the games, get back to her, and hang out."

When he's playing the game, however, not many on the roster do it better. Heading into this week's games, Bergeron was hitting .283, with nine homers [second on the team], 27 RBIs [second], and a .510 slugging percentage [tops on team]. Among his biggest accolades so far this season: he's had nine multi-hit games; was one of only three Jackals with multi-homer games [7/8 at Quebec]; the Can-Am Player of the Week winner [7/12] after batting .500, with four homers, five RBIs, and five runs during a five-game stretch; the most recent Jackal to have four RBIs in a game [grand slam, 7/19 at Worcester]; and the most recent Jackal to hit two homers in a game [Quebec].

Such achievements sound like someone who should get at least a sniff from the majors but the hard-working and humble Bergeron thinks he needs to do even more.

"I feel I need to do a little bit more," he said. "I've been leaving a lot of guys on base this last week to 10 days. But other than that I've been feeling pretty good. Hopefully it'll fall in line."

Bergeron said when things don't fall in line and he goes through hitting slumps, his mental approach is his best ally.

"I try to instill an even-keel [mentality]," he said. "Be consistent on how you deal and not to get too high or too low. You can't let the emotions completely take over. Plus, I'm one of those guys who, if I let the emotions go, things can get pretty out of control, so I try to stay on an even keel."

The Williams College graduate went to the Division-III school as much for ice hockey as baseball, but said if he allowed the hockey tendencies of his personality to take over, it wouldn't be conducive on the diamond.

"It takes years and years of practice to get that down pat. Even when I played hockey in college I tried to keep emotions in check," he said, adding that a baseball season's length plays heavily into the humility. "There's so many games. We play 94 games here and big leagues play 162, so you have to keep it all in check. You can't run yourself ragged after day one because you'd be [mentally] done by day seven."

Another relaxer is spending time with Kristen. She certainly understands her husband–perhaps better than the man himself.

"She's had five seasons to watch me, so she's used to it," he said, adding that Kristen also helps with his hitting technique. "With hitters, they know their swings, but the little stuff you don't see, she's able to help me and give me some things [advice]."

He acknowledged that marrying a ball player can be tough. But they've found the right balance.

"For us it [lifestyle] works because it makes us stronger. You probably hear this from a lot of guys but she'd probably kill me if I was in the house all the time," he said. "But it's been great and she's been great about it all."

The word "great" passes Bergeron's lips often but he said he's genuinely happy about his pro-baseball experiences. He added that although he's been through it all as a fringe major leaguer, it's never left him bitter.

"I'm happy for those guys and I know I need to do more," he said of any dreams he has of joining former Jackals teammates at the MLB level. "[In '04] I played well but got the axe. I was realistic about it. There were just too many draft picks and too much money [invested], even though my numbers were great… but I wasn't a $200,000 [bonus] guy. That's the way it works."

He'll indeed keep working hard to achieve his goals. But whether it's for the Jackals, another Can-Am team, or MLB, or wherever else he might play next, Jabe Bergeron assured his fans that he'll still be that humble, appreciative, "meat-and-potatoes guy."