Lance Berkman is Having an Emotional Affair with the Houston Astros

Lance Berkman is all up in the Houston Astros' business, a team he spent 11 seasons with before being traded to the Yankees in July of 2010. He headed back to the National League as a free agent last December to join the Astros' bitter rivals, where he won himself a big fat World Series ring. So, why does he care what happens in Houston?

Simple. He just can't stop loving them. He's like a married man having an emotional affair with his ex-girlfriend. Sure, he loves the cushy life of a World Series Champion, but he yearns for that special kind of love only a high school sweetheart can offer... but not enough to leave.

That Was the Most Ridiculous Game 6 in the History of the World Series

Honestly. Five errors, 11 walks, utter confusion all over the field, and eventual bat brutality completed the Cardinals' 10-9 walkoff win over the Texas Rangers Thursday night in St. Louis to force Game 7 of the 2011 World Series.

Josh Hamilton, who was told by the Lord himself that he would hit a homer in the 10th inning, and his hernia were feeling pretty darn good about that extra-inning longball (about time) until things really started to heat up. This game was a complete shitshow until about the seventh inning. I literally could not stop laughing throughout the early to middle innings, but then things got real serious real quick and shut me the hell up. The game went from a total joke to one of the best games I've ever seen in my life.

Tony La Russa Overmanages, Micromanages, Mismanages in Cardinals Game 5 Loss

With the World Series all evened up to a clean slate, tied at two games a-piece after Derek Holland's mustache took center stage in Game 4, the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers took to Game 5 with both of their aces on the hill.

Chris Carpenter lasted seven solid innings, surrendering just two runs on six hits with four strikeouts before reliever Octavio Dotel coughed up the eventual winning runs on a Mike Napoli two-run double in the eighth. Opposing pitcher C.J. Wilson tossed just over five innings with little control, walking five with two runs (one earned) on four hits. Four Rangers relievers combined for three hits to save the game and bring the series back to St. Louis with a one-game Texas lead after the 4-2 win.

Rangers Meet Lance Berkman and Allen Craig, Drop World Series Game 1 to Cardinals

Chris Carpenter came up big over six solid innings Wednesday night -- including a nice diving defensive play in the first for which Elvis Adrus deserves a thank you gift for not crushing the pitcher's right hand -- to help his St. Louis Cardinals earn a 3-2 victory over the Texas Rangers in Game 1 of the World Series.

After three scoreless innings pitched by both Carpenter and C.J. Wilson, it was looking like quite the pitcher's duel. But with Matt Holliday on second after a double that moved Albert Pujols to third after being hit by a pitch to lead off the fourth, Lance Berkman nailed an RBI single to give the Cardinals an early 2-0 lead.

Behold, Your 2011 Comeback Players of the Year: Jacoby Ellsbury and Lance Berkman

The 2011 Comeback Players of the year have officially been awarded to Jacoby Ellsbury and Lance Berkman.

After struggling through an injury-plagued 2010 season, the 35-year-old Berkman has gotten back on track and helped to bring his Wild-Card winning St. Louis Cardinals deep into the postseason. The switch-hitting outfielder batted .301 with 31 homers and 94 RBI to win the National League award. After dropping 20 pounds over the offseason, Fat Elvis ranked in the top 10 in the NL in homers, walks (92), slugging percentage .547) and on-base percentage (.412) this season. Way to go, buddy.

It wasn't that tough for Ellsbury, the recipient of the American League honors, to earn the comeback award. He participated in just 18 games last season due to injuries and hit only .192. However, he did set career highs with the Boston Red Sox in most of the offensive categories this year, batting .321 with 32 bombs, 105 RBI, 46 doubles, five triples, 119 runs scored, and 39 stolen bases. That's 30-30 baby.

The 28-year-old outfielder became the first Boston player to hit 30 homers and steal 30 bases in a season, but unfortunately his Red Sox totally blew it in September and failed miserably at joining the fun in October.

[ESPN]

Mark Kotsay Face-Plants, Cardinals Beat Brewers in NLCS Game 3

Chris Carpenter was far from his best Wednesday night, lasting just five innings in his St. Louis Cardinals 4-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3 of their National League Division Series at Busch Stadium.

While Carpenter surrendered all three Milwaukee runs on six hits and three walks, the relief corps came up big. Fernando Salas, Game 2-winning rookie Lance Lynn, Marc Rzepczynski and closer Jason Motte, who struck out three of the four batters he faced for the save, combined to bail out the Cardinals and retire the final 12 Brewers in order. Sadly, none of their jerseys were torn off and shredded to pieces by Nick Punto.

David Freese Drives in Four Runs, Cardinals Force NLDS Game 5

It was the David Freese Show Wednesday night in St. Louis, with the third baseman hitting a home run and a double for a total of four RBI to lead the St. Louis Cardinals over the Phillies 5-3 and force a deciding Game 5 back in Philadelphia at Citizens Bank Park.

After going 2-for-12 with just one RBI over the first three games of the series, Freese nailed a two-run double in the fourth inning before his two-run bomb to deep center in the sixth. Also, the hot corner had the the most awesome quote of the postseason so far:

"We're going to come to the yard and give it a hard nine."

Hell yeah buddy.

Lance Berkman, who's looking more and more like Fat Elvis these days -- especially when he runs, smoked a double in the first to score a run as well, before being allowed third base on a Shane Victorino throwing error.

Edwin Jackson was sucking it up early, but he recovered to win his very first playoff start ever. It was a momentous occasion for him. After serving up two longballs on his first five pitches, it was not looking good for the Cardinals starter, but he ended up tossing six solid innings, giving up just those two runs on five hits with four strikeouts.

Then, in true Tony La Russa fashion, five relievers finished the game, with closer Jason Motte being the only one to pitch an entire inning all by himself.

Game 5 is Friday night at 8:37pm ET on TBS, featuring a rematch of Cy Young-winning aces Roy Halladay and Chris Carpenter. This is going to be a great contest, and it's literally anyone's game. So don't miss it.

[Usa Today]

Lance Berkman Heads Back to the NL Central

Contrary to the recent Oakland Athletics rumors, Lance Berkman is joining a team he has a history of crushing during his career.

The former Houston Astros slugger agreed to a one year deal worth $8 million on Saturday with the St. Louis Cardinals, who have watched him bat .313 against them with 39 homers and 118 RBI over 154 career games.

Will Fat Elvis Be Athletic?

Lance Berkman could be the man to give the Oakland Athletics the big bat they're searching for this winter.

The 34-year-old switch-hitter, who batted .248 with 14 home runs and 58 RBI last season between the Houston Astros and New York Yankees, became a free agent when the Yankees declined his $15 million contract option. Smart.

However, he was compensated with a $2 million buyout, so everybody wins.

Berkman, who has roamed the outfield over his 12 seasons in the big leagues, is looking to play first base or serve as an American League team's first baseman.

Fat Elvis Out of Commission

Lance Berkman will not be participating in baseball-related activities for a few weeks after undergoing minor surgery on his left knee Saturday.

Since his recovery time is scheduled for 2-4 weeks, he may even be on the bench for Opening Day, which means Geoff Blum would likely start in his place.

The Houston Astros first baseman hurt his knee doing a base running drill on March 1, and initial tests showed only a bruise. After playing in five spring games, the knee continued to swell, so their team doctor recommended arthroscopic surgery like he had on the same knee back in 1999.

Hard Lumber: Players of the Month

Texas Rangers stud center fielder Josh Hamilton, who is like, the comeback player of the century, was honored Monday as the American League's Player of the Month for May.

Hamilton became the first AL player to win the award for April and May in the same season after hitting .328 with a big league-best 63 RBIs, which is a whopping 13 more than the next two closest players, Adrian Gonzalez and Chase Utley.

He led the league with 15 homers, 77 hits and 25 multi-hit games with eight longballs and 29 RBIs in May, helping his Rangers win 19 of 29 games.

Color us impressed. And totally turned on.

[Lone Star Ball] | [Biz of Baseball] | [Unfair Park] | [Rangers Fans]


So I guess, don't mess with Texas this month. Houston Astros monster of a first baseman Lance Berkman is May's Player of the Month for the National League.

The switch-hitting Fat Elvis, honored for the second time in his career, hit .471 for the month with nine homers, 11 doubles, a triple, 22 RBIs and 10 stolen bases.

"I didn't know he was the greatest hitter in the history of baseball until this guy showed up for the last month or so," Astros general manager Ed Wade said.

Slow down, Fast Eddie.

Berkman, who's shown no sign of slowing down himself, is stationed in the top three in the NL with 17 homers, 47 RBIs, 57 runs scored and a steady .385 batting average for 2008.

No, I will not call him Big Puma.

[610 Nightshift] | [I'm Writing Sports] | [The Fanhouse]

Lance Berkman Suspended After Outburst

There's a reason players are not supposed to argue balls and strikes.

Houston Astros first baseman Lance Berkman was suspended for two games and fined an undisclosed amount by the commissioner's office today after being ejected during Tuesday's game against the Colorado Rockies.

Berkman unsuccessfully argued a called third strike in the eighth inning before angrily throwing his batting glove and an equipment bag onto the field from the dugout.

However, the reason he was suspended was for returning to the field in the ninth inning when the benches cleared after Rockies' reliever Manny Corpas hit Carlos Lee with a pitch.

Houston won 4-1.

[San Jose Mercury News]