Lance Berkman

Lance Berkman is a former professional baseball player who played outfielder and first baseman. Berkman attended college at Rice University where he played baseball for their baseball team and was named 1997 National College Player of the Year. He was also named first team All-America by Baseball America and The Sporting News. Berkman helped the Owls to their first College World Series appearance. The Houston Astros selected Berkman in the first round of the 1997 MLB Draft. He was then assigned to play with the Kissimmee Cobras, their Class AAdvanced affiliate. In 1999, Berkman was promoted to the Astros to plat outfield. Berkman signed a six-year; $85 million deal with the Astros in 2005. Berkman helped the Astros win the 2005 World Series. On July 31, 2010 Berkman was traded to the New York Yankees where he only spent one year. Berkman spent the 2011 and 2012 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals where he helped them win the 2011 World Series. On January 15, 2013, Berkman signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Texas Rangers. The following year, Berkman announced his retirement and on April 5, 2014, he signed a one-day contract with Houston to retire as an Astro.