Lance Berkman was a great hitter, not as great in the field. He was mostly an average fielder. He had one great year of fielding at age 32 after moving to first base. I think it was probable a fluke fielding statistics season. I believe something happened to give him better fielding stats then normal. Those things happen.
One think about Berkman was he was always solid in the post season except the first one he ever played in. He was also a good clutch hitter in the regular season.
After having one of his best seasons in 2008, injuries hurt his production in 2009 and 2010. He was traded to the Yankees in the second season. In 2011 he signed a $8 million contract with the St. Louis Cardinals. He helped them to a World Series title. His offense came back. He played a different position as Albert Pujols was not going to be moved from first base. He also hit will in the clutch as the Cardinals had a big stretch run to get the wild card spot.
In the bottom of the 9th of game six with the Cardinals on the verge of elimination being two runs down, Berkman followed Albert Pujols double with a walk getting the tying run on base. Two batters later David Freese tripled to tie the game. In the bottom of the 10th down 1 with 2 outs and 2 men on, Berkman singled to tie the game. Freese homered in the bottom of the 11th for the victory.
For game 7 with the Rangers jumping to a 2-0 lead in the first, Berkman followed Pujol’s walk with one of his own. Freese then doubled to tie the game. Berkman also got a hit and scored the Cardinals sixth run for a 6-2 lead. That ended up being the final score. Berkman was one of the key men in the Cardinal victory in his only World Series victory.
This was great as injuries hurt his final two seasons as well as probably being a big part of his decision to retire.
