Author Topic: Berkman hangs 'em up (Read 5572 times)

BUWebguy · « **on:** January 29, 2014, 04:27:21 pm »

If you're ranking the Astros' all-time greats, where does he land?

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/after-15-year-career-lance-berkman-decides-to-retire?ymd=20140129&content_id=67247494&vkey=news_mlb

Fredia · « **Reply #1 on:** January 29, 2014, 04:30:19 pm »

number one in twinkie consumption

juliogotay · « **Reply #2 on:** January 29, 2014, 04:44:44 pm »

Third behind Baggy and Biggio.

WakePhil · « **Reply #3 on:** January 29, 2014, 05:10:57 pm »

Seems like a guy who will enjoy retirement. Hope to hear him on the radio or TV. He was gold with John and Lance in the mornings.

Fredia · « **Reply #4 on:** January 29, 2014, 05:38:05 pm »

maybe commentate for the astros?

WakePhil · « **Reply #5 on:** January 29, 2014, 05:59:06 pm »

Quote from: juliogotay on January 29, 2014, 04:44:44 pm

Third behind Baggy and Biggio.

He's right in there with Cruz, Cedeno and Wynn. You could probably rank the four of them in any order after Bagwell and Biggio.

Career WAR in Astros uniform would rank them:

1) Bagwell
2) Biggio
3) Cruz
4) Cedeno
5) Berkman
6) Wynn
7) Oswalt
8 ) Dierker
9) Morgan
10) Doran
11) Puhl
12) Wilson
13) Ryan
14) Scott

That picks up all the non-Umbricht retired numbers.

Col. Sphinx Drummond · « **Reply #6 on:** January 29, 2014, 08:52:02 pm »

Biggio, Bagwell, Wynn, Cedeno, Puma, Cruz.

ValpoCory · « **Reply #7 on:** January 29, 2014, 11:47:56 pm »

Granted the Retired Number bar is set awfully low, but Berkman clears it easily.

Tralfaz · « **Reply #8 on:** January 30, 2014, 12:12:50 am »

Very interesting argument. You can also look at it another way, as in pure numbers vs pure astros iconic legend. I might lean Cruz over Berkman on the Jose CRUUUZ walk up intro alone.

Col. Sphinx Drummond · « **Reply #9 on:** January 30, 2014, 05:30:35 am »

Rookie of the Year results from 2000:
1) Furcal
2) Ankiel
3) Jay Payton
4) Burrell
5) Meluskey
6) Berkman
6) Pierre
6) Chuck Smith

Limey · « **Reply #10 on:** January 30, 2014, 09:03:15 am »

I look forward to seeing him on Celebrity Biggest Loser in a few years.

Reuben · « **Reply #11 on:** January 30, 2014, 11:34:45 am »

Besides all the excellent seasons he had, I'll remember Berkman for being at his best in the '04 and '05 playoffs. 26 total games, 6 HR, 26 RBI. Had at least a .400 OBP and at least a .524 SLG% in each series. In the WS, I remember him being pitched around to a ridiculous extent (because of Ensberg's bum shoulder), but he still managed to hit .385/.526/.538 with 6 RBI in 4 games.

Hopefully after a few years I'll forget that he also played for the Cards and the Rangers.

Bench · « **Reply #12 on:** January 30, 2014, 12:37:34 pm »

Quote from: Reuben on January 30, 2014, 11:34:45 am

Hopefully after a few years I'll forget that he also played for the Cards and the Rangers.

And the Yankees.

Limey · « **Reply #13 on:** January 30, 2014, 12:53:26 pm »

Quote from: Bench on January 30, 2014, 12:37:34 pm

And the Yankees.

That's a lot of stink to wash off.

geezerdonk · « **Reply #14 on:** January 30, 2014, 02:24:00 pm »

And a large area to wash it off of.
Yankees, Cardinals and Rangers - not sure there is a more noxious stench.

Ebby Calvin · « **Reply #15 on:** January 30, 2014, 02:27:21 pm »

At least he wasn't a fucking Mariner. Dude had standards.

NeilT · « **Reply #16 on:** January 30, 2014, 02:28:05 pm »

Quote from: Ebby Calvin on January 30, 2014, 02:27:21 pm

At least he wasn't a fucking Mariner. Dude had standards.

Nothing smells worse than fish.

Fredia · « **Reply #17 on:** January 30, 2014, 02:38:20 pm »

Reuben · « **Reply #18 on:** January 30, 2014, 03:29:37 pm »

Quote from: Bench on January 30, 2014, 12:37:34 pm

And the Yankees.

He didn't have much of a choice about that one. But he wanted to be a fucking Cardinal, and a goddamed Ranger.

Limey · « **Reply #19 on:** January 30, 2014, 04:16:33 pm »

Footer's photo collection of "Puma being Puma".

juliogotay · « **Reply #20 on:** January 31, 2014, 08:00:34 am »

http://www.astroscounty.com/2014/01/lance-berkman-retires.html

Good overview from a statistical viewpoint. I maintain he is a top-3 Astro, at least from a positional player pool.

ValpoCory · « **Reply #21 on:** January 31, 2014, 02:10:31 pm »

Quote from: Reuben on January 30, 2014, 03:29:37 pm

He didn't have much of a choice about that one. But he wanted to be a fucking Cardinal, and a goddamed Ranger.

I don't think he wanted to be a Ranger. He couldn't say no to $11M guaranteed. Most Rangers fans can tell you that for every walk off win last year, every Ranger was smiling and jumping around except Berkman, who never seemed too interested. He acted more like a bench coach than a player.

For example:

https://twitter.com/BenRogers/status/362217380308467712/photo/1

Astros Fan in Big D · « **Reply #22 on:** January 31, 2014, 03:06:36 pm »

Quote from: juliogotay on January 31, 2014, 08:00:34 am

http://www.astroscounty.com/2014/01/lance-berkman-retires.html

Good overview from a statistical viewpoint. I maintain he is a top-3 Astro, at least from a positional player pool.

I just know I loved watching him hit. He had an approach, rarely gave away at bats, and produced at a high level.

Plus he seems to be a likable guy. Hope retirement agrees with him.

Fredia · « **Reply #23 on:** January 31, 2014, 03:28:13 pm »

i just dont seem him sitting rocking on the front porch and eating twinkies //he needs to do something b aseball related

Ty in Tampa · « **Reply #24 on:** January 31, 2014, 04:12:16 pm »

Quote from: ValpoCory on January 31, 2014, 02:10:31 pm

https://twitter.com/BenRogers/status/362217380308467712/photo/1

"Finally, I can get to that Snickers I have in my locker."

NeilT · « **Reply #25 on:** January 31, 2014, 04:28:37 pm »

I liked Berkman so much as a player that I thought he was witty.

Col. Sphinx Drummond · « **Reply #26 on:** February 01, 2014, 06:01:33 am »

It's good he changed his nickname to Big Puma, as a result, I only had to read one article on Berkman's retirement that led with "Fat Elvis has left the building."

Jose Cruz III · « **Reply #27 on:** February 01, 2014, 09:28:32 am »

Quote from: Reuben on January 30, 2014, 03:29:37 pm

He didn't have much of a choice about that one. But he wanted to be a fucking Cardinal, and a goddamed Ranger.

For 11 and 12 million per I would be a Ranger or Co-Ard. But I would probably pee on the toilet seat or something while I was there.

cougar · « **Reply #28 on:** February 02, 2014, 12:31:58 am »

He's now an assistant coach over at Second Baptist. I look forward to him teaching the outfielders how to eat Twinkies during games.

Seriously though, a staff of Berkman, Rayner Noble, and Jeff Calhoun? That's some experience there.

chuck · « **Reply #29 on:** February 02, 2014, 11:43:51 am »

One Lance Berkman bobblehead, inside the original box. Unopened, unused and thoroughly unappreciated. We'll start the bidding at one hundred dollars.

Lefty · « **Reply #30 on:** February 03, 2014, 12:22:09 am »

Quote from: cougar on February 02, 2014, 12:31:58 am

Jeff Calhoun

Shit, THAT Jeff Calhoun.

SBS used to be a neat little school about 30 years ago, sure has changed from what I've read.

Nate in IA · « **Reply #31 on:** February 04, 2014, 09:32:43 pm »

I remember watching him hit those bombs at the home run derby at the 2005 All Star game. Yeah, he was hitting from the right side to take advantage of the short porch but he was absolutely crushing them. I really enjoyed watching him play the game, often it seemed from a little kid's perspective.

cougar · « **Reply #32 on:** February 04, 2014, 09:50:52 pm »

Quote from: Lefty on February 03, 2014, 12:22:09 am

Shit, THAT Jeff Calhoun.

SBS used to be a neat little school about 30 years ago, sure has changed from what I've read.

Yeah, THAT one. Hopefully he's not the one calming pitchers down in high pressure situations.

I graduated from SBS in '94, still stop by every once in a while. It's gotten bigger, but haven't noticed any downward trends.

Lefty · « **Reply #33 on:** February 04, 2014, 10:25:29 pm »

Quote from: cougar on February 04, 2014, 09:50:52 pm

I graduated from SBS in '94, still stop by every once in a while. It's gotten bigger, but haven't noticed any downward trends.

'93, haven't been around there in 15 years or so

ValpoCory · « **Reply #34 on:** February 06, 2014, 06:14:32 pm »

Quote from: cougar on February 02, 2014, 12:31:58 am

He's now an assistant coach over at Second Baptist. I look forward to him teaching the outfielders how to eat Twinkies during games.

Seriously though, a staff of Berkman, Rayner Noble, and Jeff Calhoun? That's some experience there.

Reid Ryan's kids go to school there. "Funny bumping into you, Lance."

ValpoCory · « **Reply #35 on:** February 06, 2014, 06:16:04 pm »

Quote from: Nate in IA on February 04, 2014, 09:32:43 pm

I remember watching him hit those bombs at the home run derby at the 2005 All Star game. Yeah, he was hitting from the right side to take advantage of the short porch but he was absolutely crushing them. I really enjoyed watching him play the game, often it seemed from a little kid's perspective.

2004 ASG, but yes, that was a fun year. Still hate Jack McKeon for choosing Barry Larkin over Craig Biggio for a last minute replacement, preventing Craig from being an all-star at 3 positions. Biggio had better stats at the time too. He chose his guy over the fans' guy.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #36 on:** February 06, 2014, 06:59:16 pm »

Quote from: ValpoCory on February 06, 2014, 06:16:04 pm

He chose his guy over the fans' guy.

He had to spend the rest of the season with his guy.

VirtualBob · « **Reply #37 on:** February 11, 2014, 09:56:53 pm »

Quote from: Astros Fan in Big D on January 31, 2014, 03:06:36 pm

I just know I loved watching him hit. He had an approach, rarely gave away at bats, and produced at a high level.

Plus he seems to be a likable guy. Hope retirement agrees with him.

Some would say he has been retired in place for quite a while.

BlownRanger · « **Reply #38 on:** February 12, 2014, 01:59:34 pm »

In addition to his Astros ranking, it's legitimate to ponder where he slots in among all time switch hitters. Pretty damn high, I would think.

Reuben · « **Reply #39 on:** February 12, 2014, 02:31:15 pm »

Quote from: BlownRanger on February 12, 2014, 01:59:34 pm

In addition to his Astros ranking, it's legitimate to ponder where he slots in among all time switch hitters. Pretty damn high, I would think.

Mantle
Larry Wayne
Eddie Murray
Berkman?

[does 3 minutes worth of research]. Hmmm. Pete Rose was a switch-hitter too. So were HOFers Frankie Frisch, George Davis, and Robbie Alomar... that muddies the waters a bit. Hell, even Ruben Sierra and Chili Davis had more career RBI than Lance, and Chili had 350 HR to Lance's 366...

edit: Reggie Smith and Bernie Williams were pretty good hitters, too, and both were far better fielders than Lance.

Bench · « **Reply #40 on:** February 12, 2014, 02:42:52 pm »

Quote from: Reuben on February 12, 2014, 02:31:15 pm

edit: Reggie Smith and Bernie Williams were pretty good hitters, too, and both were far better fielders than Lance.

But Berkman won the 2002 Play of the Year!