HOUSTON, TX - The Harris County – Houston Sports Authority is excited to announce that Houston Astros legend Lance Berkman has been selected for induction into the Houston Sports Hall of Fame.
Berkman's passion for baseball at every level and his undeniable impact on the city of Houston make him more than worthy to be a part of the very accomplished 2024 Hall of Fame class.
"To be included with other great athletes who have competed here in the city of Houston, you can't really put words to it," said Lance Berkman, 2024 Hall of Famer. "It's certainly a great honor to me, and getting to be in there with a couple of my former teammates is just the icing on the cake."
Berkman, a Waco native, spent most of his professional career in Texas. After graduating high school, he played at Rice University, where he made a name for himself by helping lead the Owls to their first College World Series appearance in 1997.
Drafted by the Astros later that year, Berkman made his MLB debut with the team in 1999. During his time in Houston, he became one of the most beloved players in franchise history. In 12 seasons with the Astros, he batted .296 with 326 home runs and 1,090 runs batted in.
Earning All-Star recognition 5 times, Berkman’s batting prowess earned him the distinction of one of the Astros' "Killer B's" alongside Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio.
"Lance Berkman's legendary impact made him a perfect addition to the 2024 class," said Daniel Gotera, Harris County - Houston Sports Authority Senior Director of Communications. "A proven clutch hitter, Lance was an integral part of the Astros playoff runs in the early 2000s and their first World Series team in 2005. ‘The Big Puma’ was one of the best to ever wear that uniform.”
After his years in Houston, Berkman went on to play with the New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, and Texas Rangers. In 2011, he was named NL Comeback Player of the Year and helped guide the Cardinals to a World Series championship.
Berkman officially retired as a member of the Astros on April 5, 2014.
Off the field, the 6-time All-Star has committed himself to philanthropic and community-centric endeavors. He has been actively involved with numerous charitable organizations in Houston, leaving a lasting impact on the community.
Currently, Berkman is the head baseball coach at Houston Christian University (HCU) after coaching stops at the University of St. Thomas and Second Baptist School, where he managed the team to a TAPPS State Title in 2016.
The Astros legend joins Houston Comets legend Cynthia Cooper in the 2024 Houston Sports Hall of Fame class. A third and final member of the class will be announced later.
