Guide Note:Major League Baseball switch-hitting outfielder/first baseman Lance Berkman currently plays for the Houston Astros.

Berkman was originally drafted by the Houston Astros on June 3, 1997. He spent his first two seasons with the Astros minor league affiliates, and was considered a star player in the minors, hitting 36 homeruns over his two year minor league career. In the middle of the following season, he was called up to make his MLB debut with the Astros on July 16, 1999. He joined the Astros for a total of 34 games that season, quickly making a name for himself hitting ten runs and four homeruns in 93 attempts at bat and also playing in the MLB All-Star Futures Game.

Berkman earned a full roster spot in 2000, playing in 114 games that year. He was also sixth in the voting for Rookie of the Year the same year. His 2001 season was his most successful at the time, playing in both the National League Divisional Searies with the Astros and making his first MLB All-Star Game appearance. He also came in fifth for the MLB Most Valuable Player Award. His 2002 season was equally successful, playing in 158 games and hitting a whopping 42 homeruns. He again was selected for the All-Star game. He continued over the next few seasons to play in almost every game with the Astros, earning All-Star honors again in 2004. He was also selected as the National League Player of the Month] in May 2004. In 2005 Berkman made his first World Series appearance with the Astros, which the team lost to the Chicago White Sox. Berkman was selected for his fourth and most recent All-Star game in 2006, when he was also third in MVP voting for that year. Fast Facts:

1. Full name: William Lance Berkman
2. Born: February 10, 1976
3. Birthplace: Waco, Texas
4. 1999: MLB Debut

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