Lance Berkman

Do it for Beltran!

Two years ago, in the midst of all of the “Do it for Torty” madness in the run-up to the Cards 11th World Series title, I suggested that instead of “Do it for Torty,” the team “Do it for Berkman.” Lance Berkman was still a fairly new addition to our team at that point, having joined the Cardinals roster at the beginning of that season, but an invaluable one. He quickly made himself at home on the field and in the clubhouse, winning the devotion of the fans and his teammates. Berkman was one of those rare types in any pro sport…extremely talented, with an endearing personality and great sense of humor, but also a really good guy. The kind of guy you wanted to see win, because he was so good at what he did, but also because he was the kind of person you could count on to set a good example for your children. But in spite of an amazing career, Berkman had never added a World Series ring to his collection. So we really wanted to see the Cards go all the way in 2011, because, sometimes, you just want to see the nice guy finish first, and what a moment it was when he did!

That brings us to this year. We have another fairly new addition to our team (but not quite as new as Berkman was in 2011). Like Berkman, he’s also a switch hitter, which makes him a threat at the plate, and he has played in the NLCS before, including in 2004, when he and Berkman both played for the Astros. A player that we’ve come to depend on for offense and defense. Someone rivaling Babe Ruth himself as far as post-season stats go…he’s that good. In case it isn’t obvious by now, that player is Carlos Beltran. Like Berkman in 2011, he somehow hasn’t managed to pick up a World Series ring yet, despite a storied career that includes three Gold Gloves, numerous All-Star appearances, and more post-season home runs than any other player in history. As if all of that wasn’t enough, Beltran is also a really, really good guy. He is a Christian man known for the charity work he does in his native Puerto Rico, for encouraging young baseball players as they strive to make it to the Big Leagues some day.

I say that this year, we don’t even need a rally squirrel to spur us on to victory. The knowledge that we’re playing with and for a man who deserves to win this title should be enough. We need to do this thing for Beltran!

Lance Berkman not ready for final chapter

There was a time a couple of years ago when Lance Berkman could hardly wait for his Major League career to end. Those emotions came at a time when the Astros were losing and the clubhouse environment wasn’t the best. It was tough on him — and on Roy Oswalt, as well — to see a franchise that had been one of baseball’s smartest and most efficient come undone.

Berkman spoke of coaching the baseball team at the University of Texas, or maybe doing nothing at all for a couple of years. Regardless, he left little doubt that his time was almost up, and that he wouldn’t be letting the door hit him in the backside on the way out.

And then a couple of things happened.

via Richard Justice: Lance Berkman not ready for final chapter | MLB.com: News.

We Love Lance!

It’s no secret that Lance Berkman has become our family’s favorite baseball player this year, for many reasons. Yes, he’s an awesome player, but it goes deeper than that. He was “supposed” to be something of a has-been at this point, and he shocked most of the baseball world this season as one of the Cardinals top batters, and even won an award as the “NL Comeback Player of the Year.” I love it when people defy the odds! He’s also got a great sense of humor–something Ryan appreciates, being a practical joker himself. And he’s a good, Christian guy, someone the children can admire with good reason, and that’s no small feat in the world of sports and entertainment.

Even with all of his accolades as a six-time All-Star, National League Player of the Month and Week, (on several occasions!), and a World Series appearance as an Astro, he’s never actually won been on a winning team in the Fall Classic. Now, as much as I love Torty Craig, I say we put aside the whole “do it for Torty” thing, and focus on Berkman. We in Cardinal Nation need to get behind our team, and get this guy a World Series ring.

Do it for Berkman!

Quote of the Day

I saw this quote from Lance Berkman, (following Saturday night’s Cards-Phillies playoff game), on NBC Sports’s Hardball Talk. He’s always good for a humorous comment!

“‘They were chanting my name,’ Berkman told reporters, ‘but I don’t know why. My name is on the back of my uniform. So it’s nice to know they can read.’”

The Big Puma

I was so happy to read this morning that Lance Berkman signed a one-year extension with the Cardinals. He has really become a family favorite, partly because he’s just a really good, Christian guy, (I’m always happy to find a good baseball hero for Turkey to admire, because it seems like they’re few and far between), and partly because his career was supposedly in “decline,” which made him something of an underdog in my opinion. Hey, if this season was decline, (batting .300 with 31 home runs so far), I’ll take it!

I was really worried that the Cards weren’t going to be able to afford to keep him, and even though he’s only been with us for one season, the idea of him leaving and going somewhere else really made me sad. The children couldn’t even comprehend that he might go–they just don’t grasp the whole trading, money aspect of the sport. I’ve been waiting with bated breath to see what would happen–I’m so glad the wait it over! I know it’s only a year, but at least it’s another year, right?

Quote of the Day

I know he was referring to the Cardinals recent situation, but I found this quote from right fielder/first baseman Lance Berkman in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch to be relevant to pretty much any situation:

“It’s rarely a good time to panic. And when it is, it’s usually too late.” Lance Berkman