"Lance Berkman says he is retiring: "I'm excited about to be honest with you. I think it's going to be great."

"Lance Berkman on retiring: "Just physically I've gotten to the point where I don't think I can compete at a level I'm used to competing at""

https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26

It's a good move. He didn't play very well for the Rangers last year and certainly didn't look like he was having any fun

For those who haven't read it in a while or have never read it, this article from SI in 2001 is a fun read:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/a.../index.htm

Hopefully I got the link right.

Per JD...

Quote:Joseph Duarte‏@Chronicle_Owls17s
.@RiceOwlsBSB Wayne Graham says Lance Berkman has open invitation to join staff. "We’ll manage to always find a place for him."

Joseph Duarte‏@Chronicle_Owls23 secs
Rice coach Wayne Graham says if Lance Berkman would join the Owls staff at this time it would have to be as a student coach

Joseph Duarte‏@Chronicle_Owls1 min
More @RiceOwlsBSB coach Wayne Graham on Lance Berkman: "It sounds like he wants to coach. Hopefully at one time or another it will be here."

However, I've heard through the grapevine that he's given up on getting his degree, which pretty much rules him out. He'll likely go into broadcasting, IMO....though I'd love to have him back at Rice.

(01-29-2014 06:25 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Per JD...

Quote:Joseph Duarte‏@Chronicle_Owls17s
.@RiceOwlsBSB Wayne Graham says Lance Berkman has open invitation to join staff. "We’ll manage to always find a place for him."

Joseph Duarte‏@Chronicle_Owls23 secs
Rice coach Wayne Graham says if Lance Berkman would join the Owls staff at this time it would have to be as a student coach

Joseph Duarte‏@Chronicle_Owls1 min
More @RiceOwlsBSB coach Wayne Graham on Lance Berkman: "It sounds like he wants to coach. Hopefully at one time or another it will be here."

However, I've heard through the grapevine that he's given up on getting his degree, which pretty much rules him out. He'll likely go into broadcasting, IMO....though I'd love to have him back at Rice.

Well, for this year anyway. He could always be the volunteer coach next season.

For multiple reasons, I'm glad Lance got his ring in 2011.

[quote='waltgreenberg' pid='10358358' dateline='1391037915']
Per JD...

Quote: Joseph Duarte‏@Chronicle_Owls23 secs
Rice coach Wayne Graham says if Lance Berkman would join the Owls staff at this time it would have to be as a student coach

Has he used up all of his student eligibility??? Curious minds say hmmmmm…..

Would be an instant hit as a broadcaster or studio host.
But he's too good for regional and I know how important family is, I cant see him in Connecticut or NY.
Please maybe we can offer to rename the OWLS the Pumas

It's too bad injuries took their toll on the last few years of his career. Otherwise, he'd be a probable Hall of Famer (instead of a marginal one). But congratulations on a great career and good luck to him on the next phase of his life.

Nice article on CBSsports.com here, with a reference to his Rice career in the "Fun Fact" section at the end.

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-base...l-of-famer

Anyone know the back-story behind the picture they chose??

What deadspin had to say:

Quote:Lance Berkman is retiring at the age of 37. A .293/.406/.537 career hitter in the regular season, he posted an OPS of 1.084 in 50 World Series plate appearances with the Astros and Cardinals. His 1.65 World Series WPA is the third-highest of all time, behind only Charlie Keller and Lou Gehrig.

(01-30-2014 11:13 AM)chrisc Wrote:  Anyone know the back-story behind the picture they chose??

Fluffy puma?

(01-29-2014 06:25 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Per JD...

Quote:Joseph Duarte‏@Chronicle_Owls17s
.@RiceOwlsBSB Wayne Graham says Lance Berkman has open invitation to join staff. "We’ll manage to always find a place for him."

Joseph Duarte‏@Chronicle_Owls23 secs
Rice coach Wayne Graham says if Lance Berkman would join the Owls staff at this time it would have to be as a student coach

Joseph Duarte‏@Chronicle_Owls1 min
More @RiceOwlsBSB coach Wayne Graham on Lance Berkman: "It sounds like he wants to coach. Hopefully at one time or another it will be here."

However, I've heard through the grapevine that he's given up on getting his degree, which pretty much rules him out. He'll likely go into broadcasting, IMO....though I'd love to have him back at Rice.

Walt - any insight on why he's given up on the degree ? I thought he wanted to go into coaching (where you need the degree). Of course he doesn't need the $$$.

I don't see us ever getting over the hump hitting as a team, without someone like Lance providing the spark.

To get over the hitting hump, we have to recruit more kids that can hit. For a variety of reasons I have come to understand and support, we go for the athlete who can provide great speed and defense, over the kid who can just drive the baseball. Look at what we have gotten out of our 1B/DH over the last several years. It is typically far less than what our peer schools (in baseball excellence) get.

BTW-I respect Lance Berkman more than just about any other pro athlete. He was intelligent; funny; thoughtful; and knew to do things the right way. I wish Rice could get him back in some capacity, even if it was as the "productive out" coach.

(01-30-2014 01:28 PM)owlsfan Wrote:  BTW-I respect Lance Berkman more than just about any other pro athlete. He was intelligent; funny; thoughtful; and knew to do things the right way. I wish Rice could get him back in some capacity, even if it was as the "productive out" coach.

A friend of mine had a chance to meet him on two occasions and said the exact same thing about Berkman. But most memorably, he explained to me that he was perhaps one of the most Rice-like people you could meet, by having all the above qualities, but still finding a way to be pretty awkward.

I have a number of stories about a few brief interactions with Lance when he was at Rice and after he was playing in the minors and with the Astros...however, I think it is time for baseball to recognize some of our many great players by retiring Lance's number. I know that there are a number of issues involved but I just think it's time and Lance would be the perfect first honoree.

(01-30-2014 03:10 PM)Houston Owl Wrote:  I have a number of stories about a few brief interactions with Lance when he was at Rice and after he was playing in the minors and with the Astros...however, I think it is time for baseball to recognize some of our many great players by retiring Lance's number. I know that there are a number of issues involved but I just think it's time and Lance would be the perfect first honoree.

I will slightly disagree. When the proper time inevitably comes, the number 37 should be the first to be retired. Then Berkman's 27 and perhaps a few others can follow in short order.

(01-30-2014 03:30 PM)That Guy 2012 Wrote:  

(01-30-2014 03:10 PM)Houston Owl Wrote:  I have a number of stories about a few brief interactions with Lance when he was at Rice and after he was playing in the minors and with the Astros...however, I think it is time for baseball to recognize some of our many great players by retiring Lance's number. I know that there are a number of issues involved but I just think it's time and Lance would be the perfect first honoree.

I will slightly disagree. When the proper time inevitably comes, the number 37 should be the first to be retired. Then Berkman's 27 and perhaps a few others can follow in short order.

Agreed

(01-30-2014 12:24 PM)davidw Wrote:  

(01-29-2014 06:25 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Per JD...

Quote:Joseph Duarte‏@Chronicle_Owls17s
.@RiceOwlsBSB Wayne Graham says Lance Berkman has open invitation to join staff. "We’ll manage to always find a place for him."

Joseph Duarte‏@Chronicle_Owls23 secs
Rice coach Wayne Graham says if Lance Berkman would join the Owls staff at this time it would have to be as a student coach

Joseph Duarte‏@Chronicle_Owls1 min
More @RiceOwlsBSB coach Wayne Graham on Lance Berkman: "It sounds like he wants to coach. Hopefully at one time or another it will be here."

However, I've heard through the grapevine that he's given up on getting his degree, which pretty much rules him out. He'll likely go into broadcasting, IMO....though I'd love to have him back at Rice.

Walt - any insight on why he's given up on the degree ? I thought he wanted to go into coaching (where you need the degree). Of course he doesn't need the $$$.

I don't see us ever getting over the hump hitting as a team, without someone like Lance providing the spark.

I think we'll be over the "hitting hump" this year. Outside of Indiana, LSU, ULaLa and UVA, we may have the best returning offense (at least on paper) amongst the Top 15 - 17 teams.

(01-30-2014 03:10 PM)Houston Owl Wrote:  I have a number of stories about a few brief interactions with Lance when he was at Rice and after he was playing in the minors and with the Astros...however, I think it is time for baseball to recognize some of our many great players by retiring Lance's number. I know that there are a number of issues involved but I just think it's time and Lance would be the perfect first honoree.

I was a walk-on freshman the year after Lance was drafted. The returning players had nothing but good things to say about him (along with a slew of hilarious stories). Big contrast from say, Matt Anderson. Can't say I interacted with Lance personally enough to offer anything, though the older of his Rice baseball brother-in-laws is a great guy (Jake Baker).

Lance would also take BP at Rice when our practices were over. It was magnificent to watch him take BP. Great career and proud he is an Owl.