Lance Berkman News: Pro Sports Daily

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September 24

Houston Chronicle

columnist Jerome Solomon

"A ticket scalper outside the stadium was on a bullhorn trying to unload the last of his wares for a measly five bucks. Inside, there wasn’t even a line for the $1 hot dogs anymore, and people were already calculating their ounce-per-hour beer intake so they could time that final run during the seventh-inning stretch. Clearly, the game had long ago begun. But Lance Berkman had yet to show up. The Astros were still looking for Berkman as dejected fans filed out of the stadium following a 2-1 loss to the Reds, resigned to the fact that the Astros’ 2008 season is likely going to end short of the playoffs. The guy who has been masquerading as the Astros’ slugger the past few weeks was at Minute ..."

Berkman looks to break slump

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September 21

Houston Chronicle

"It’s not often Lance Berkman takes early batting practice before a game. Then again, it’s not often Berkman goes more than 10 days without a hit. Berkman entered Saturday in a career-long 0-for-23 slump that dates to Sept. 9, when he went 3-for-4. He had gone eight consecutive games without a hit coming into Saturday, when he went 1-for-5 with a single. “I’m just trying to get a feel, and more than anything else you just want to demonstrate it’s still important to you and you’re not mailing it in and you’re trying to do anything you can do to make it better,” he said. Rodriguez gets work Lefthander Wandy Rodriguez, who hasn’t pitched since Sept. 7 because of a strained muscle on the right ..."

Berkman's blast brings down Birds

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August 30

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"At one of the ballparks that forced an age of instant replay upon Major League Baseball, Houston's Lance Berkman launched two ninth-inning shots far enough out of the ballpark that no interloping technology was needed. One was foul. The other was the winner. Berkman poked a fastball from Russ Springer out to the encroaching Crawford Boxes in Minute Maid Park's left field for Houston's 3-2 victory Friday. Berkman's and David Newhan's home runs upended a game the Cardinals and starter Kyle Lohse dictated for 6 2/3 innings. Instead of the Cardinals keeping pace with Milwaukee, Lohse saw a replay of what a teammate called his "hard-luck" month. Now the Cardinals are hoping for a replay of ..."

Berkman's walk-off homer hands Astros win over Cards

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August 30

Houston Chronicle

"Lance Berkman wasn’t sure what kind of reception was awaiting him at home plate, and he didn’t really care. No matter how many times his teammates were going to pound the top of helmet, this was going to feel good. Berkman slugged the first walk-off home run of his career, sending a pitch from former teammate Russ Springer into the Crawford Boxes in the ninth inning to send the Astros to a 3-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Minute Maid Park. “Guys have been giving me a hard time all year about not having a walk-off home run,” Berkman said. “Every time we go into extra innings I have to listen to it. Now I guess they’ll have to say something else.” The Astros won their third game in a ..."

Berkman, Astros roll Giants 12-3 for sixth straight victory

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August 13

Houston Chronicle

"When speaking with reporters before Tuesday night’s game, Astros manager Cecil Cooper said that finding a way to knock San Francisco Giants ace Tim Lincecum out of the game early was going to be tantamount. The Astros did just that in the fifth inning, but not quite in the fashion Cooper envisioned. Lincecum went to the hospital after taking a Brad Ausmus line drive off his right knee, and the Astros pounded San Francisco’s bullpen to win their sixth consecutive game, 12-4 at Minute Maid Park. “Once Lincecum left, we felt we had a real shot at it, and we put up a big inning,” said Cooper, who evened his major league managerial record at 75-75. The Astros scored a season-high eight runs in ..."

Berkman puzzled by hitting slump

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August 6

Houston Chronicle

"Lance Berkman, who was in an 0-for-11 slump and on the longest homerless drought of his career, was out of the starting lineup Tuesday He entered at first base in the seventh and went 0-for-1. “I hope (the day off helps). Good grief,” he said. “I actually feel pretty good. I don’t feel too bad. It’s hard to figure, because I’m swinging at good pitches. I’m just not making consistent contact like I was earlier this year.” Berkman delivered his last home run on June 30. “He’s not the same guy he was,” Astros manager Cecil Cooper said. “You don’t see him struggle for long, long periods of time. You have not seen that Berkman swing. I know a lot of it is he just hasn’t had time off.” Berkman ..."

Berkman, Tejada honored to play at Yankee Stadium

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July 13

Houston Chronicle

"Since it opened in 1923, Yankee Stadium has played host to 37 World Series and four All-Star Games — 1939, 1960, 1977 and 2008. With the Yankees set to move next door to a $1 billion, state-of-the-art facility next season, Yankee Stadium will hold its final Midsummer Classic on Tuesday. The Astros' Lance Berkman will start at first base and Miguel Tejada will be the backup at short for the National League. Together, they will join some of the greatest names in baseball history on the list of players who have participated in an All-Star Game in the park that has become a baseball shrine but soon will be no more."

Berkman campaigns for Lee's All-Star spot

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July 7

Houston Chronicle

"Astros first baseman Lance Berkman barely had finished discussing how pleased he was to be voted as the starting first baseman for the National League for the All-Star Game when he began campaigning for teammate Carlos Lee. "Take nothing away from the two Cubs outfielders, but Carlos deserves to start ahead of either one of those two guys," Berkman said. "I'd like to see him in the game." Berkman and Astros shortstop Miguel Tejada, who was chosen by the players as a reserve, will represent the Astros at the July 15 All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium, but they could be accompanied by Lee."

Berkman issues challenge to Lee

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July 3

Houston Chronicle

"A day after saying he will compete in this year's Home Run Derby on July 14 at Yankee Stadium, Lance Berkman good-naturedly challenged teammate Carlos Lee to do the same. Berkman acknowledged that Lee was approached by Major League Baseball to see if he would consider participating in the Derby if he made the National League All-Star team. Berkman is the leading vote-getter at first base, and Lee is among the league leaders in RBIs. "He said no initially, and I pretty much called him out," Berkman said. "I was like, 'Let's go. I'll challenge you to do it.' He would be great in the Derby and probably would win it.""

Berkman eager to take part in Home Run Derby

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July 2

Houston Chronicle

"Lance Berkman, who has a commanding lead in the race to earn the National League's starting spot at first base for the All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium in New York, has accepted an invitation to participate in the Home Run Derby. Now he hopes New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez reconsiders after declining. The derby is July 14, a day before the Midsummer Classic is held at storied Yankee Stadium, which is in its last season. "I know why (Rodriguez) won't do it," Berkman said. "It's really a no-win situation for the player because all the fans are like, 'It's batting practice. How could you not hit home runs?' They don't realize that it's actually a very difficult thing to do. There ..."

Berkman still top vote-getter at first base for N.L. All-Star team

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July 1

Houston Chronicle

"Four-time All-Star Lance Berkman remains in prime position to start at first base for the National League in the All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium on July 15. Berkman started in center field for the NL at the 2004 All-Star Game at Minute Maid Park, but that honor fell on him after Ken Griffey Jr. was injured. If he maintains the 724,041-vote lead he had in the penultimate vote announced Monday, Berkman will be elected to start an All-Star Game for the first time in his career."

Berkman hits home run in 8th to beat Rangers

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June 25

Houston Chronicle

"Brian Moehler played the role of life jacket Tuesday night. He kept the Astros afloat against the major league's highest-scoring offense. Moehler tossed six-plus strong innings, Lance Berkman hit a late two-run homer, and the Astros survived a ninth-inning rally by the Texas Rangers for a 4-3 interleague victory before a crowd of 40,052 at Minute Maid Park."

Berkman to return to first base

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June 20

Houston Chronicle

"Lance Berkman, who has nursed a strained left shin since Saturday, likely will play first base tonight for the first time since Saturday. He was out of the starting lineup Sunday and served as the Astros' designated hitter during the three-game interleague series against the Baltimore Orioles. "One more day of it then he should be OK, fine to play defense," manager Cecil Cooper said of Berkman. "He actually did come in (Wednesday) and said he probably could go if I needed. So I said one more day would be perfect." Berkman says his left leg is fine now."

Injured Berkman DH's for second straight game

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June 19

Houston Chronicle

"Hobbled slugger Lance Berkman was the Astros' designated hitter again Wednesday night against the Baltimore Orioles while he dealt with a strain at the top of his left shin. "Well, I saw him a couple of times (Tuesday) night kind of not moving too good," manager Cecil Cooper said. "So I think he needs another day. He might need more than just one day. He might need two days. I don't know how good he could move defensively." Berkman, who was out of the lineup Sunday, hasn't played in the field since he was injured late in Saturday's loss against the Yankees."

Berkman likely DH

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June 17

Houston Chronicle

(scroll down)

"Lance Berkman, who missed Sunday's game and has been nursing a sore lower left leg, is expected to return to the lineup tonight in Baltimore. He likely will be the designated hitter. Berkman, in a 6-for-30 slump (.200), has been designated hitter in two of three possible games this year, with Carlos Lee doing it once. Astros designated hitters are a combined 4-for-13 (.308) this year."

Cooper gives Berkman day off

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June 16

Houston Chronicle

"Lance Berkman wasn't in the starting lineup Sunday for the second time in 70 games this season as Darin Erstad started at first base. Berkman is dealing with a sore leg, and manager Cecil Cooper said he wanted to give him a day of rest. Starting third baseman Ty Wigginton and starting second baseman Kaz Matsui were also out of the lineup. "Lance has a little tenderness in his leg, and we talked about it, and today was the day we were going to hold him out," Cooper said. "It was a day for Wigginton to sit and a day for Matsui to sit. We try to give them two days so they are ready for the next series.""

Should the Astros have a fire sale?

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June 16

Houston Chronicle

"Maybe it's time for the Astros to shop closer Jose Valverde to a team in contention. Perhaps they should get Carlos Lee, Roy Oswalt and — dare I say it? — even Lance Berkman to approve a trade elsewhere. I would keep Berkman, but I'd listen to trade offers for Lee, Oswalt and Valverde, as long as Lee and Oswalt bypass their no-trade clauses. If I had to trade one of them, it would be Lee. His two years into a six-year, $100 million deal, and that has the makings of a terrible contract in the near future. He's still an RBI machine, so shop him. That's if you can get him to agree to a trade. The bottom line is this club is in need of a serious overhaul, and there's not enough that can be ..."

Berkman named NL Player of the Month

June 3

Houston Chronicle

"Astros first baseman Lance Berkman was named National League Player of the Month for May after hitting .471 (49-for-104), with nine home runs, a triple, 11 doubles and 22 RBIs. He also scored 31 runs while posting a .553 on-base percentage, with 49 hits and 85 total bases."

Berkman's hot start helps propel Astros

May 28

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

columnist Rich Hummel

"One explanation, of course, was the fact that cleanup man Lance Berkman has hit .483 this month and batted .545 in a 17-game hitting streak that ended on May 18. But besides first baseman Berkman leading the league in runs batted in at 46, left fielder Carlos Lee is second in RBIs at 45, and new shortstop Miguel Tejada is hitting .332 with 37 RBIs. And Hunter Pence, after a five-for-five night Tuesday, is hitting .311. Michael Bourn, the leadoff man, has 23 steals in 26 attempts in spite of a horrendous .276 on-base percentage and .216 batting average.Bourn has been on base only 57 times to have those 23 steals.The bullpen, another Astros strength, got off to a shaky start, but ..."

Take pride in 60 percent failure rate

May 28

Rocky Mountain News

columnist Bernie Lincicome

"Almost into June now, and for most of this baseball season, Atlanta's Chipper Jones has been batting over .400 and Houston's Lance Berkman has been clipping along nearly as efficiently - more so, considering his power numbers. It is never too soon to become breathless over the possibility that someone could hit .400 for the first time in 67 years. We recall Todd Helton's assault on the inconceivable, coming up 16 hits short in 2000, and Tony Gwynn was at .394 when the 1994 season was stopped. When someone does it again, he will be at least as celebrated as . . . well, is there an untarnished record left in baseball?"

Switch-hitting Berkman is making power shift

May 25

Houston Chronicle

"Like the typical great switch-hitter, Lance Berkman always has been a better hitter from the left side than the right. But far be it for Lance Berkman to do something typical, so the Astros slugger has taken it to an extreme over the course of his eight-plus-year career. Berkman, who has the best slugging percentage of any switch-hitter to play the game (minimum 3,000 plate appearances), is unique among the top 10 switch-hitters who debuted since 1956. He's the only one to have a higher slugging percentage from the same side of the plate every year of his career."

Berkman, Lidge renew friendship

May 24

Houston Chronicle

"After flying out to left field to end Thursday's game against Phillies closer Brad Lidge, the Astros' Lance Berkman sent his former teammate a text message: I hate you. "He called me and we talked," Berkman said. "It was all in good fun. He's a great friend of mine, and it's always strange when you see him over on the other side.""

Astros' Berkman better than before

May 22

Philadelphia Daily News

"The last time the Phillies faced Lance Berkman, he was hitting .298 with a modest four home runs. Starting today, however, they will have to contend with a hitter who has established himself as the National League MVP favorite at the quarter pole of the 2008 season. Berkman's numbers have transformed since he went 3-for-12 in a mid-April series in Philadelphia. In his last 27 games before last night, he hit .465 with 11 home runs and 30 RBI. He recently had a 17-game hitting streak snapped. Going into last night, he was hitting .388 with 16 home runs and 44 RBI. And nobody seems to be surprised."

Red-hot Astro presents a big test

May 22

Philadelphia Inquirer

"What's the hottest thing in Houston these days? It's not the sizzling fajitas at Pappasito's or the smoked brisket at Goode Co. Barbeque, though both are big hitters. The hottest thing in Houston is Lance Berkman's bat, and the Phillies will get an up-close look at it as they open a four-game series against the Astros tonight at Minute Maid Park. "He's crushing the ball," Phils manager Charlie Manuel said. "When you're getting him out, you're more or less fooling him.""