Houston, Texas – After years of quiet dedication and being underrated in the polls, Lance Berkman – the former star of the Houston Astros – has finally been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. A beautiful ending to a journey full of ups and downs, where faith and perseverance prevailed over prejudice and oblivion.
⚾ From the unsung hero…
Lance Berkman, nicknamed “Big Puma,” is one of the most effective switch-hitters in MLB history. In 15 professional seasons, he recorded:
6 All-Star
366 home runs
1,234 RBI
OPS 0.943
.293 batting average
A former mainstay with the Astros, then a big contributor to the St. Louis Cardinals. As a St. Louis Cardinals World Series champion in 2011, Berkman has always been a symbol of stability and efficiency. But he was once “forgotten” by experts when he fell off the Hall of Fame ballot after only one year of appearing, causing fierce controversy in the baseball world.
After nearly a decade of waiting, Berkman was finally considered by the Veterans Council and honored in the Hall of Fame in a solemn ceremony in Cooperstown this week.
In an emotional speech, he said:
“I never thought my journey would get here, but I have always believed in the value of perseverance. Today, I represent not only the Astros, but all those who were doubted but kept fighting.”
Lance Berkman’s honor is a reminder of the injustice often seen in the world of sports – where quiet players, without media noise, can be forgotten despite outstanding achievements.
Many former players such as Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio have congratulated their former teammate:
“Berkman has been the heart of the Astros for many years. He deserves to be here a long time ago,” — Biggio shared.
From a quiet hitter, a symbol of loyalty, to eternal glory – Lance Berkman has proven: Greatness sometimes comes not when we are playing, but when we no longer have to prove anything.
This year’s Hall of Fame not only has one more member, but also welcomes a monument – a person who was once forgotten by the world.