The muscular Lance Berkman became a starter for the Houston Astros after showing he could hit big league pitching in 2000, his second season in the majors - .297 batting average, 28 doubles, 21 homers, 67 RBI in just 353 at bats. In 2001, he had a career-high in batting with .331 and had 121 RBI. In 2002 Lance Berkman put up numbers which approached a MVP season, finishing third in the NL in homers with 42, sixth in slugging pct .578, third in extra base hits with 79. After playing the outfield early in his career, Berkman was converted to a first baseman in recent years. Dugout Chatter - the 6 ft 1 inch 205 pound Lance Berkman is said to be ‘the strongest man on the Astros.’ His workouts in the weight room certainly can attest to this fact. A noted clutch-hitter when the outcome of the game is on the line. In 2006, Lance Berkman batted .315, hit a career-high 45 long balls and had a career-high 136 runs. A patience batter he draws around 100 base on balls in most seasons. |