Meet the Underrated Stars Nobody Argued About Enough

Standard Batting

Year	Age	Tm	Lg	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+	TB	GDP	HBP	SH	SF	IBB	Pos	Awards
1999	23	HOU	NL	34	106	93	10	22	2	0	4	15	5	1	12	21	.237	.321	.387	.708	79	36	2	0	0	1	0	7H/93
2000	24	HOU	NL	114	417	353	76	105	28	1	21	67	6	2	56	73	.297	.388	.561	.949	130	198	6	1	0	7	1	97H/3	RoY-6
2001	25	HOU	NL	156	688	577	110	191	55	5	34	126	7	9	92	121	.331	.430	.620	1.051	161	358	8	13	0	6	5	*78/9H	AS,MVP-5
2002	26	HOU	NL	158	692	578	106	169	35	2	42	128	8	4	107	118	.292	.405	.578	.982	150	334	10	4	0	3	20	*879/H	AS,MVP-3
2003	27	HOU	NL	153	658	538	110	155	35	6	25	93	5	3	107	108	.288	.412	.515	.927	138	277	10	9	1	3	13	*7/8
2004	28	HOU	NL	160	687	544	104	172	40	3	30	106	9	7	127	101	.316	.450	.566	1.016	160	308	10	10	0	6	14	*97/38H	AS,MVP-7
2005	29	HOU	NL	132	565	468	76	137	34	1	24	82	4	1	91	72	.293	.411	.524	.934	143	245	18	4	0	2	12	379/D	MVP-14
2006	30	HOU	NL	152	646	536	95	169	29	0	45	136	3	2	98	106	.315	.420	.621	1.041	163	333	11	4	0	8	22	*39/7HD	AS,MVP-3
2007	31	HOU	NL	153	668	561	95	156	24	2	34	102	7	3	94	125	.278	.386	.510	.896	130	286	11	8	0	5	11	*39/H8D
2008	32	HOU	NL	159	665	554	114	173	46	4	29	106	18	4	99	108	.312	.420	.567	.986	160	314	13	7	0	5	18	*3/DH	AS,MVP-5
2009	33	HOU	NL	136	563	460	73	126	31	1	25	80	7	4	97	98	.274	.399	.509	.907	140	234	13	1	0	4	14	*3/H
2010	34	TOT	MLB	122	481	404	48	100	23	1	14	58	3	2	77	85	.248	.368	.413	.781	112	167	18	0	0	0	7	3D/H
2010	34	HOU	NL	85	358	298	39	73	16	1	13	49	3	2	60	70	.245	.372	.436	.808	120	130	12	0	0	0	4	3
2010	34	NYY	AL	37	123	106	9	27	7	0	1	9	0	0	17	15	.255	.358	.349	.707	90	37	6	0	0	0	3	D/H3
2011	35	STL	NL	145	587	488	90	147	23	2	31	94	2	6	92	93	.301	.412	.547	.959	164	267	7	3	0	4	17	*937/HD	AS,MVP-7
2012	36	STL	NL	32	97	81	12	21	7	1	2	7	2	0	14	19	.259	.381	.444	.826	126	36	3	2	0	0	3	3H
2013	37	TEX	AL	73	294	256	27	62	10	1	6	34	0	0	38	52	.242	.340	.359	.700	92	92	7	0	0	0	3	D/3H
15 Yrs				1879	7814	6491	1146	1905	422	30	366	1234	86	48	1201	1300	.293	.406	.537	.943	144	3485	147	66	1	54	160
162 Game Avg.				162	674	560	99	164	36	3	32	106	7	4	104	112	.293	.406	.537	.943	144	300	13	6	0	5	14
				G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+	TB	GDP	HBP	SH	SF	IBB	Pos	Awards
HOU (12 yrs)				1592	6713	5560	1008	1648	375	26	326	1090	82	42	1040	1121	.296	.410	.549	.959	146	3053	124	61	1	50	134
STL (2 yrs)				177	684	569	102	168	30	3	33	101	4	6	106	112	.295	.408	.533	.940	159	303	10	5	0	4	20
TEX (1 yr)				73	294	256	27	62	10	1	6	34	0	0	38	52	.242	.340	.359	.700	92	92	7	0	0	0	3
NYY (1 yr)				37	123	106	9	27	7	0	1	9	0	0	17	15	.255	.358	.349	.707	90	37	6	0	0	0	3
NL (14 yrs)				1769	7397	6129	1110	1816	405	29	359	1191	86	48	1146	1233	.296	.409	.548	.957	147	3356	134	66	1	54	154
AL (2 yrs)				110	417	362	36	89	17	1	7	43	0	0	55	67	.246	.345	.356	.702	92	129	13	0	0	0	6

Impact on the Game

Reggie Sanders: The Reliable Contributor

Sanders’ career is a testament to his adaptability and reliability. His ability to perform consistently across multiple teams made him a valuable journeyman. Sanders’ presence was often a stabilizing force, particularly during playoff runs. His role in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2001 World Series championship is a prime example of his impact, as he provided key hits and veteran leadership throughout the series.

Lance Berkman: The Clutch Performer

Berkman’s impact on the game was profound, particularly during his time with the Houston Astros and St. Louis Cardinals. Known for his clutch performances, Berkman played a pivotal role in the Cardinals’ 2011 World Series victory. His game-tying single in the bottom of the 10th inning of Game 6 is a moment etched in baseball history. Berkman’s ability to perform under pressure made him a feared hitter in crucial situations.

Memorable Moments

Reggie Sanders: The Record Setter

One of Sanders’ most memorable moments came on August 20, 2003, when he hit two home runs in a single inning for the Pittsburgh Pirates against the St. Louis Cardinals. This rare feat underscored Sanders’ power-hitting capability. Additionally, his record-setting 10 RBIs in the 2005 National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres showcased his ability to shine in high-stakes games.

Lance Berkman: The World Series Hero

Berkman’s career is filled with memorable moments, but his performance in Game 6 of the 2011 World Series stands out. With the Cardinals down to their final strike, Berkman delivered a clutch single to tie the game, eventually leading to a Cardinals victory and a subsequent World Series title. This moment exemplified Berkman’s knack for delivering in pressure situations, cementing his legacy as a clutch performer.

Awards and Accolades

Reggie Sanders: A Decorated Career

• All-Star (1995): Sanders’ lone All-Star appearance came during his breakout season.
• World Series Champion (2001): A key member of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ championship team.
• 300-300 Club: Sanders became the fifth player in MLB history to hit 300 home runs and steal 300 bases.

Lance Berkman: The All-Star Powerhouse

• 6× All-Star (2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2011): Consistently selected among the league’s best.
• World Series Champion (2011): Pivotal in leading the Cardinals to victory.
• NL Comeback Player of the Year (2011): Recognized for his remarkable return to form.
• NL RBI Leader (2002): Led the league with 128 RBIs.
• Houston Astros Hall of Fame: Honored as one of the franchise’s all-time greats.

Postseason Performances

Reggie Sanders: Mixed Postseason Success

In 64 postseason games, Sanders batted .195 with seven home runs and 25 RBIs. While his postseason batting average was lower than his regular-season performance, Sanders had several key moments, particularly his record-setting 10 RBIs in the 2005 NLDS. His ability to contribute in critical moments helped his teams in multiple playoff runs.

Lance Berkman: The Postseason Standout

Berkman thrived in the postseason, batting .317 in 52 playoff games with nine home runs and 41 RBIs. His performance in the 2011 World Series, particularly Game 6, stands out as a highlight in his career. Berkman’s ability to deliver in clutch situations made him a valuable asset in the playoffs, further solidifying his reputation as a clutch performer.

Legacy and Post-Retirement

Reggie Sanders: The Giving Veteran

Sanders’ legacy is one of versatility and resilience. His ability to adapt and perform for multiple teams over a long career is noteworthy. Since retiring, Sanders has been involved in various charitable efforts, including his Reggie Sanders Foundation, which supports children with autism and their families, demonstrating his commitment to giving back to the community.

Lance Berkman: The Coach and Mentor

Berkman’s legacy is firmly entrenched in baseball history, not just for his on-field performance but also for his off-field contributions. After retiring, Berkman transitioned into a coaching role, sharing his knowledge and experience with younger players. His time as the head baseball coach at Houston Christian University and his involvement in various charitable endeavors highlight his continued passion for the game and his desire to mentor the next generation of players.

Conclusion

Comparing the careers of Reggie Sanders and Lance Berkman offers a fascinating look at two different paths to baseball greatness. Sanders’ career was defined by his power-speed combination and his ability to adapt to different teams and situations. In contrast, Berkman’s career was marked by his consistent power hitting and clutch performances, particularly in the postseason.

Both players left a significant mark on the game of baseball, providing countless memorable moments for fans. Whether you’re drawn to Sanders’ journeyman spirit or Berkman’s clutch heroics, there’s no denying the impact these two players had on the sport.