Lance Berkman announced his retirement from major league baseball after a stellar career. He played on some of the best — and worst — Astros’ teams in history.
He ranks among the Top 5 in almost every offensive category for the Astros. At .410, he has the best OBP of any player while they were in an Astros’ uniform. He’s second in slugging percentage and OPS behind Moises Alou.
Only Craig Biggio, Jeff Bagwell and Jose Cruz have played more games as an Astro and only Bagwell has more HRs.
Berkman’s position in the stat books is almost incomparable. We’ll save the Hall of Fame question for another day.
Today, the question is simple: Should the Astros retire his #17 and hang it from the rafters at Minute Maid Park?
The Astros have retired 10 numbers through the years. Some — like Bagwell’s #5 and Biggio’s #7 — were no brainers. Others, well, let’s just say it’s possible the Astros got carried away.
That, however, shouldn’t sway your thinking as Berkman is clearly one of the top 3-4 position players in Astros’ history.
ALL THINGS ASTROS 
6 responses to “Berkman Retires: Should the Astros retire his #17?”
I’m going with no. They’ve gone a little over board with the numbers. They have to have at least 25 free numbers to field a team.
LikeLike
Surprised Oswalt hasn’t retired yet himself. His body’s broken down and he’s turned into a bit of a prima donna as well, and I’d be very surprised if he gets any interest.
LikeLike
Yes indeed. Every time I saw him in another uniform, I wanted to throw
up! Lance was the guy we depended on for a loooooong time. He deserves his number to go up in the park.
LikeLike
It is not Lance’s fault or problem that the Astros retired X amount of numbers. I would argue that only Biggio and Bagwell were clearly better players as Astros. Jackie Robninson’s number is retired with all teams. Wilson and Umbricht are honored because they died during their playing careers. Cruz and Wynn were very good players but not in Berkman’s class as a hitter – even with the difference in era. Scott was a great pitcher for a short spell.Nolan Ryan had a greater career, but as an Astro I can’t say he did more than Lance. I would give Dierker a slight nod for contributions as player, manager and broadcaster.
If you compare Lance against those already honored – he is a short second step down from the top in Astros history.
LikeLike
If you’re comparing him to what is already retired by the Astros, yes. But here’s a guy who had a reasonable opportunity to finish his career in Houston and signed elsewhere. I’d say no. We’ve retired too many.
If they Astros ever have a little Hall of Fame of their own, he’s in it. But a retired jersey is another matter.
LikeLike
maybe a sign to remember him, with one of the best nicknames in all of baseball, ‘fat elvis’. i know he preferred big puma, but fat elvis is classic.
LikeLike