Lance Berkman

William Lance Berkman (born February 10, 1976 in Waco, Texas) is a Major League Baseball player for the Houston Astros. His official listed height is six feet, one inch, and his weight is 220 pounds (100 kg). Berkman is a switch-hitting outfielder/first baseman who throws left-handed.

Major League Career

Thoughout his entire high school, college, and minor league career, Berkman played first base. Since the Astros had All-Star first baseman Jeff Bagwell already entrenched as the starter, Berkman agreed to play outfield (Left field specifically) in order to get playing time. His first stint in the MLB ended with 34 games played, a .237 batting average, 4 HR and 15 RBI. The slow start did not discourage him, although he started the 2000 season back in "AAA" New Orleans.

Related Topics:
First base - Jeff Bagwell - Outfield - Left field - 2000

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

His time in the minors would be short-lived, however. 31 games through the season, Houston again requested his services, and Berkman showed the club why they had used their first round pick on him. Moving from left field to right field, he hit .297, 21 HR and 67 RBI. This firmly established him in the Astros lineup, and he has been a starter since.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

2001 was a tremedous season, even after moving back to left field. Berkman hit at a .331 average, good for 4th in the National League. His .430 On-base percentage placed him fifth in the league. He also scored 110 runs, hit 34 home runs, and drove in 126 runs (7th in league). His 55 doubles is a to-date personal best, and led the league. 2001 also marked his first All-Star appearance (he would repeat in 2002 and 2004) and he was fifth in Most Valuable Player voting.

Related Topics:
National League - On-base percentage - Most Valuable Player

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

With the Astros shuffling their roster around before the 2002 season, Berkman agreed to play center field. Although he is not a pure athlete like most center fielders, he generally made a good read on balls hit to him in the outfield and made very few mistakes. 2002 saw his batting average drop to .292, although he kept his on-base percentage high at .405. His power output increased also, resulting in 42 home runs, another to-date career high. Berkman scored 106 runs and drove in 128, good enough to lead the league. As a result, he was third in the NL in the Most Valuable Player voting for 2002.

Related Topics:
2002 - Center field

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

2003 brought about Berkman's worst season since becoming a regular. His batting average dipped to .288, although his on-base percentage was still high at .412. He hit 25 home runs, and only drove in 93 runs, scoring 110 himself. In the field, he played all but one game in Left field.

Related Topics:
2003 - Left field

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The next season, 2004, saw him bounce back at the plate. His average was up to .316, and his OBP was .450, due to the fact that he walked 127 times. He hit 30 home runs, drove in 106, and scored 104 runs. He also hit 40 doubles and appeared in 160 games, the most so far in his career for a single season. He split his time in the field between left and right field. made the All-Star team, and was runner up in the 2004 Home Run Derby with 21 homers.

Related Topics:
2004 - OBP - Home Run Derby

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 2005, he moved over to first base when Jeff Bagwell was put on the 15-Day DL.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~