Lance Berkman
| Birthdate | 2/10/1976 |
| Death Date | |
| Debut Year | 1999 |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | Astros, Cardinals, Rangers, Yankees |
| Positions | First Base, Outfield |
Lance Berkman retired with the 25th-best OPS in the history of the game; he also had 366 homers, 422 doubles, and a .406 on-base percentage.
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Berkman finished just shy of milestone numbers with 1,905 hits, .a 293 average, and 366 homers
Berkman finished just shy of milestone numbers with 1,905 hits, .a 293 average, and 366 homers
Lance Berkman had a fine career as a Major League Baseball player. A slugger with a keen batting eye, he finished just short of a number of Cooperstown milestone markers. Hall of Fame candidacies are bolstered when a player hits .300 for his career, hits 400 homers, or amasses 2,000 hits. Berkman finished at .293, 366, and 1,905.
From 2000-2009, Berkman was one of baseball’s best. During the decade he hit .300 with a .419 on-base percentage and averaged 96 runs scored, 97 walks, 30 homers, and 103 runs batted in.
Berkman’s Astros were a formidable team during his time in Houston. Teaming with Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell, Berkman helped form the “Killer B’s”, one of the decade’s best offensive teams.
Looking more deeply into his 15-year career reveals a .406 on-base percentage, and a career .943 on-base plus slugging (OPS). The latter number is surpassed by just 24 players in the history of the game. All are in the Hall of Fame, save Barry Bonds, Mike Trout, Todd Helton, and Lefty O’Doul.
In his first year on the Cooperstown ballot, Berkman received just 1.2% of the vote and dropped off the writers’ ballot. Many believe Berkman will someday gain election to Cooperstown via the Veterans Committee.
In the collection is this receipt, signed by Berkman for his 2011 All Star ring, the last of six he earned. Berkman played two All Star games in centerfield, two at first base, and one each in left and right fields. The slugger went 3-for-10 in those appearances and was errorless in the field.
Lance Berkman hit 20 or more homers in 11 seasons and 30+ in six seasons
Lance Berkman hit 20 or more homers in 11 seasons and 30+ in six seasons
Lance Berkman’s statistics include a .406 on-base percentage and a .537 slugging mark. His 144 OPS+ compares favorably to many Cooperstown men. Lost in those stats is that Berkman was a prolific slugger.
He hit 20 or more homers in ten straight seasons and 11 overall. In the decade of 2000-2010 Berkman slashed .300/.413/.559. He averaged 31 homers and 103 RBI per season.
An under-appreciated star, Berkman also competed in the Home run Derby three in times. In 2002 he finished last among the 8 participants. In 2004 he redeemed himself, finishing second behind the Orioles Miguel Tejada. His final time in the Derby came in 2006 when he tied Tejada for 6th place.
Shown here is the lineup card from Berkman’s first Home Run Derby. It’s signed by the Derby winner Jason Giambi and All Star manager Bob Brenly.
