| BECAME A CARDINAL: In a move that took Cardinal Nation by surprise, Cardinals General Manager Walt Jocketty signed the former Cub's second baseman and free agent to a 1 year contract in January 05.
CONTRACT STATUS: Signed through the 2005 season.
2005 OUTLOOK: Will be the Cardinals starting second baseman. Most likely will hit in the 7th hole but some think he could also bat second.
The 35 year old veteran struggles against left-handed pitchers, hitting just .220 against them in 04, but he hit .349 against right handers.
You can expect him to hit around .300 with 5 home runs and about 40 RBI.
Mark was limited to just 76 games last season with the Cubs because of injuries and with Todd Walker also playing second. The Cardinals hope Mr. G is healthy and be the everyday second baseman this season.
2004 SEASON: Mark battled Achilles tendinitis and missed more than two months of the season. Batted .307 in 81 games with six homers and 23 RBI.
Had a .985 fielding pct. at second base (5 E/ 327 TC) and was a participant in 30 double plays. Appeared in 76 games
(61 starts) at second, batting .317 as a starter.
Was on the disabled list from 4/10-6/19 with inflammation of the right Achilles tendon. Batted .250 in eight rehab games
for Iowa (AAA) with seven hits (3 2Bs, 2 HRs) and four RBI.
Pinch hit 11 times for the Cubs, drawing two walks and notching a pair of hits.
Hit .343 over his final 43 games, going 49-for-143. Had 14 extra base hits and 11 RBI.
MISC: Graduated from J.M. Hanks High School in El Paso, Texas, in 1989, where he was an all-state performer in baseball
and basketball...also was a member of the school's football team...attended Trinidad (Colo.) State Junior College...his charitable
endeavors have included assisting Garth Brooks' "Field of Dreams" program and the International Diabetes Foundation...Mark
has one son, Bryce, and resides in San Diego, CA...name is pronounced grud-zuh-LAH-nick. | 
