by Kenneth Gregory Smith

Created on: December 31, 2010

   Lance Berkman has been a top-notch major league player since the year 2000. Adding to his luster is the fact that he is a switch-hitter (bats from both left and right sides of the plate). Berkman and the great Mickey Mantle are the only two switch hitters who have recorded multiple seasons of hitting 40 home runs or more. Berkman holds the National League record for most runs batted in by a switch hitter during a season when he knocked in 136 runs in 2006.

   Born on February 10, 1976 in Waco, Texas, Berkman played his college ball for Rice University in Houston. While at Rice, he lead the Owls to a College Word Series berth and was named College Player of the Year in 1997. Drafted in the first round by the Houston Astros in the summer of 1997, Berkman quickly rose through the minor league ranks and made his major league debut on July 16, 1999. He remained a fixture in the Astros lineup until the summer of 2010, when he was traded to the American League's New York Yankees.

   Berkman played a crucial role in helping the Astros reach the World Series for the first and only time in 2005. He was part of a potent Houston lineup-along with Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio-that were known as the "Killer B's". Although the Astros lost the Series to the Chicago White Sox,  Berkman acquitted himself well by hitting .385 and producing six runs batted in. 

    While playing both at first base and in the outfield, Berkman has complied some impressive career statistics(through the 2010 season): 327 home runs, 1099 runs batted in, 1675 hits,  and a .296 batting average. With several more years of productivity, the five time all-star could become a Hall of Fame candidate. After his lone half-season with the Yankees, Berkman signed a one year deal to play for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011. Therefore, he will not only find himself back in the National League, but will play in Houston as a member of the opposition. 

   A devout family man, Berkman has been outspoken about his Christian faith. He told the Houston Chronicle newspaper in 2006, that his faith had moved "from my head to my heart" while in college, and "it's (a Christian) is who I am." He went on to say "The only place one can find lasting fullfillment is in a relationship with Jesus Christ." He  is active in Bible studies with fellow players during the season.

     There's no reason to believe that Lance Berkman won't continue his stellar play for several more seasons.

    Sources: wikipedia.org/Lance Berkman       www.chron.com

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