The Big Puma is in the top ten of every major cat in the NL and with the starting pitching now consistant it looks like the Astros will make the playoffs. Berkman's stats don't even tell half the story he has had so little protection in this lineup all year and let's also not forget Lance has played a very solid first base as well. Come on Astro fans let see those Big Puma for NL MVP signs and maybe baseball tonight/sportscenter will pick up on it like they do with the "MVP" chants late in the NBA season.
I am in complete agreement... Berkman has been a stud all year long and even if Pujols will be a perennial lock at MVP for the forseeable future it shouldn't detract 'Stros fans from giving Fat Elvis the credit he deserves... Next game I go too I know I'll be chanting MVP...
He'll be in the race but Beltran's having a damn nice year as a Met. I don't think voters would take Berkman over Beltran.
In no way do I like the name "Big Puma." I'm more of a fan of the nickname "Fat Elvis." Mostly, I'd prefer to just call him Lance, or Berkman. But, yes, he deserves something.
At this point I'd still have to give it to Pujols. Pujols has better aveage, home runs, on base %, slugging %, OPS, and runs scored. I'm a homer as much as the next guy. I'd really like to see Lance win it and he's definitely got a shot, but I don't think he's leading the race at this point.
Right now I think its a 5 man race 1. Beltran 2. Pujols 3. Berkman 4. D. Wright 5. R. Howard If the Phillies win the wildcard then you have to consider Howard with the stats he is putting up.
They called him fat elvis in Chicago (Cubs that is) and they used to throw twinkies at him when he played full time in the outfield. Anyway Lance won over their fans when he picked up the twinkies and started eating them while he was out in left field. Big Puma started in spring training when John and Lance from sports radio dubed him the "big puma" because he worked out hard in the offseason and came in lighter. They say it's because he is so cat like quick. It's a big joke but I like the name.
if the astros make the playoffs, it should be a no-brainer. I still like beltran, but he has all that protection. berkman's numbers are sick when you consider how bad the offense has been.
I nominate Texanskan for Official BBS Cheerleader....dude always has the most positive posts. They just make me feel all warm and fuzzy.
There is enough of the season left for someone to pull away from the pack. If the Cards continue fading, you can pull Pujols out of contention. If the Stros win the Wild Card or the division, Berkman has a good chance. IMO, I think everyone is playing for 2nd place behind Beltran in the voting. The fact Beltran plays such a good center field is a huge plus for him.
yeah..last night fat albert had 3 doubles...his team scored 1 run. everytime i look up their pitching gives up in excess of 5 runs. they're struggling hard. and if they continue playing like this, the astros will catch them. 5 games back.
Agreed on Beltran for right now. Take Berkman and make him a gold glove center-fielder and you've got what Beltran is doing this year.
I like the name Big Puma. Lance is our best player and hated Fat Elvis. Why would you want to call our boy that.
People are not supposed to like their nicknames. Thats what makes it fun. My favorite is his college nickname of Fatty Kruk.
I second that motion. Awesome story on how the Fat Elvis name came into existence. I can see Lance eating those twinkies in left field. I just hope they were still in the package because you can't trust Cub fans. I like the name Big Puma for Lance it fits him some how. Reminds me of the Big Cat Andrés Galarraga. If we want the Big Puma to start getting some respect around the league and be up for things like MVP we have to stop calling him fat elvis.
In arlington this season some fans were chanting for berkman he looked backed and saw a box of twinkies and smiled. A pitch goes by he looks back and motions for them to throw him one. Next pitch goes by and he looks back and a fan tosses him a twinkie and berkman puts it in his back pocket. I've heard stories of this but it was the funniest thing I've seen live in a sporting event. Oh ya Berkman deserves some mvp run if the astros can pull away with the wild card or better yet win the divison than he should get some run. But sneaking into the playoffs 3 or 4 games above 500 shouldn't be enough to get it IMO considering the seasons pujlos and more importantly beltran are putting up.
