Mark Hallberg has taken a unique, globetrotting path to become a minor-league manager for the first time with the Giants’ short-season affiliate in Salem-Keizer.



The son of international school administrators, he grew up in places like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. He bounced all over during five seasons as an infielder in the Arizona Diamondbacks system. He currently splits his year between coaching baseball in the summer and teaching physical education the rest of the time in Dubai.



But his most interesting living arrangement came 13 years ago, when he transferred to play baseball at Florida State.



Where he became Buster Posey’s roommate and close friend.



More than that, Hallberg, now 34, became the little-known inspiration for a monumental position change that impacted not only his lone season with the Seminoles but also the most successful run in Giants modern franchise history.



It’s because of Hallberg that they turned...