By The Numbers: Lance Berkman Is Really Good

Lance Berkman has delivered the first blow in the 2011 World Series, not that anybody is paying attention to this World Series. Berkman hit a two-run double to get the Cardinals on the board, which brings up this question: Does anybody realize what an outstanding career Lance Berkman has had?

For example, he has 358 home runs, ranking 76th all-time. He has 1,149 walks, ranking 68th all-time. He ranks 111th all-time in extra-base hits. According to the Runs Created formula, Berkman is in the top 100 all-time in Runs Created. Who would have guessed that?

Per 162 games throughout his career, Berkman has averaged 101 runs, 37 doubles, 33 homers, 109 RBI, and 105 walks. His OPS+ of 146 is one point worse the Edgar Martinez and two points higher than Alex Rodriguez.

With walks and power and a .296 career average, Berkman’s Offensive Winning Percentage is .726 — the 47th highest mark in history. And he has finished in the top seven in MVP voting on five occasions — or one more time than Derek Jeter, a sure-fire first-ballot Hall of Famer.

I’m not saying Berkman should be a Hall of Famer. But if he can stay productive for one or two more years (he hit .301 with 31 homers this season), he will be impossible for voters to ignore.