Sports Justice: Lance Berkman: No power, no hits, no playoffs

Richard Justice: No guru, no method, no research teacher

There was a time back in May or June when we were talking up Lance Berkman as the National League’s first Triple Crown Winner in 71 years. Haven’t head that talk in awhile, have you?

When the Astros needed him most, Berkman disappeared. He produced nothing. Zip. Zilch.

He hit 22 home runs in his first 346 ABs, but just six in in his last 242. Some of that can be attributed to losing Carlos Lee as protection. He drew 44 walks in his first 346 plate appearances, 53 in his last 300.

Until about a week ago, he was still drawing walks, but now with the Astros desperate for victories, with the offense having disappeared, Berkman may have expanded the strike zone a bit.

Anyway, he’s 2 for 29 since Hurricane Ike. Wasn’t it enough that dirty rotten Bud Selig ruined our season? Why did he have to ruin our best player, too? It’s not just Berkman. The Astros are hitting .190 since Ike, and while there are slumps up and down the lineup, the focus always will be on the best player.

Wasn’t the protected Berkman slumping just before Lee got hurt?