Major League Baseball All-Star Lance Berkman Wants to Star for Christ

He is a four time all-star, and he helped lead his team to the World Series in 2005. Lance Berkman is one of the most feared hitters in major league baseball, and in 2006 he hit 45 home runs and set a record for the Houston Astros with 136 runs batted in. Some might think he might feel he has arrived and doesn't have much to accomplish-unless it would be for the Astros to win a World Series championship. Anyone who might think that way does not know that Lance Berkman is also one of the most humble players in the game, and feels his faith in Jesus Christ, not his baseball success, is the most important thing in his life. He has also spent time helping people through various charities.

Berkman doesn't actually feel that success is an attainable thing, but a process that someone is always working toward.

The switch-hitting outfielder/first baseman throws left handed. When Lance Berkman went to the Astros, Jeff Bagwell was the first baseman, so he began to play in the outfield, and he has played all three positions in the outfield for the Astros. When Bagwell was injured in 2005, and he helped the Astros with a grand slam home run in the playoffs in a comeback win over the Atlanta Braves, that eventually helped propel the team to the World Series.

In 2006, Lance Berkman became only the second switch hitter in major league history to hit 40 or more home runs in multiple seasons-Mickey Mantle was the other. His statistics have included a .330 average in 2001, with a .430 on base percentage, 34 home runs, and a league leading 55 doubles; 42 home runs in 2002, a .292 average, along with a .405 on base percentage; a .288 average in 2003, an on base percentage of .412, and 25 home runs; a .316 average in 2004, 30 home runs; and an on base percentage of .450, and a .315 average, 45 home runs, and an on base percentage of well over .400 in 2006.

For Lance Berkman, however, he does not define success by his baseball statistics, but by having a faith in Jesus Christ as his Savior. He said if someone lets his faith impact his life "in every area, if somebody does that, they're on the road to success."

Lance Berkman is not the only outspoken Christian on the Astros, and he notes the whole organization is receptive to the gospel.

Lance Berkman noted his parents were instrumental in his having the faith he has and says his dad is the "most honest guy I know." He said he never heard a foul world come from his mouth, and added he is very gentle. He said the whole lives of his parents demonstrated the value of having a faith in God.

Even though the Astros made it to the World Series in 2005, Lance Berkman said not even that compares with having a faith in God, His presence, and forgiveness. He said that is because whatever a man accomplishes on earth is not lasting, and all accomplishments fade away. He said he wants his family to know about eternal things-the things a faith in Christ provide.

Lance Berkman also wants to use his success as a baseball player as a platform to share his faith with others.

Perhaps because of his faith and love for others, Lance Berkman has also spent a lot of time helping others through charity.

In 2004 he was scheduled to host the Houston CPA Society's 15^th annual Florida Scramble and Golf Tournament to benefit the Make a Wish Foundation. The Foundation grants the wishes of critically or terminally ill children. In 2006 he was one of the participants in the Century 21 Home Run Derby, which would allow someone to win $250,000 toward the purchase of a home. He was the team spokesman for major league baseball's program to raise money for breast cancer research. He has been responsible for children seeing Astros games on Saturdays, as well as learning more about what it is like to be a major league baseball player.

Lance Berkman is one of the most feared hitters in major league baseball and helped his team to the 2005 World Series, but he considers his life a success not because of that-but because of his faith. The people he has helped through many ways through charity also know Lance Berkman for more than his baseball skills.