Lance Berkman returns to Houston with eight hits and seven RBIs in three games

After playing 11 seasons with the Astros as one of the best players in franchise history Lance Berkman returned to Houston for the first time and was met by some pretty harsh criticism from local announcer Milo Hamilton.

Berkman handled things about as well as possible in responding to the criticism and then responded with his bat by collecting eight hits and seven RBIs in three games against the Astros, including a pair of homers last night.

Here’s what he said after the game:

I don’t think I could have asked for a better return to Minute Maid. It’s not something like I came in here with a vendetta, or something to prove. I just wanted to play well in front of my family. I can’t imagine I’ll ever come into this building and not think about 11 years of great memories. One series doesn’t put that to bed. It will always be a special place to me.

Berkman is now hitting .410 with with eight homers, eight doubles, and a 1.263 OPS through 22 games for the Cardinals, leading the league in slugging percentage and OPS while ranking second in batting average, homers, and RBIs.

I liked the Cardinals’ decision to sign Berkman to a one-year, $8 million deal, but my question was whether he’d bounce back enough offensively from a career-worst season to make up for some ugly defense. His glove in right field has been every bit as shaky as expected, but so far at least the 35-year-old Berkman is hot enough at the plate that no one cares.