Despite spending 15 years in the major leagues and winning a World Series, Lance Berkman is a rookie once again.

The former Houston Astros fan favorite who played 12 years with the club is back in his baseball home town and back in the game he loves.

Berkman is in his first season as the head coach of Houston Baptist and he is learning the game from a different perspective.

“It is easier to be a player,” Berkman said. “I am learning this job on the fly for sure.”

The College Baseball Hall of Famer brings his struggling Huskies into Joe Miller Ballpark this weekend for a Southland Conference series against McNeese State. HBU is 6-15 as league play is set to begin.

“I’m enjoying coaching for sure,” Berkman said. “I wish the record was better and we were off to a better start, but the game is still fun.”

Having a player like Berkman coaching in the league is positive for the Southland. He brings the league and HBU instant attention and increased credibility.

“It is great to have people like him in our league,” said McNeese head coach Justin Hill. “It shows the interest and investment by baseball people and school leaders is growing. It’s great to have that kind of commitment.”

Hill said it will be fun for his Cowboys (11-10) to play against such a big name with a local fan following. It will also be another reason for fans to come out to the game.

“As long as it’s not me pitching against him, that would not be too good for us and nobody would want to see that,” said Hill, who was a pitcher in college for LSU. “They would have a huge advantage there.”

Now it is Hill who has the experience edge, having won the last two SLC conference championships.

“That’s the type of program we are trying to build,” Berkman said of the Cowboys. “We are excited to go over there and see where we stand. It has been a long time since I played in Lake Charles.”

Berkman is learning that patience is a key when it comes to building a program.

“It is like a puzzle you have to try and solve,” he said. “You have to understand that they aren’t going to be like you and I have to figure out how I can best teach them.”

But Berkman didn’t get back in the game simply to pass along his knowledge of the game. He has more to give his players.

“To me the game of baseball is second to having an impact on these kids’ lives,” Berkman said. “I want to help them avoid making the same mistakes I have made.”

Berkman has said he is getting help from Houston and the baseball community.

“You can’t do it all by yourself,” Berkman said. “Having a recognizable name in the city of Houston helps, but it’s the community itself that is a big part of what we hope to do here.”

Building a program is something close to the heart of the 15-year major league veteran. He helped do it while a player at Rice, where he was part of that program making the national stage.

Berkman led the Owls to their first appearance in the NCAA postseason in 1995 and their debut trip to the College World Series two years later. He won his World Series ring as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011. Turning HBU into a winner is next on his to-do list.

“I love the idea of taking something and building it into your own,” Berkman said.

The 46-year old may have accomplished a lot throughout his baseball career, but when it comes to being a college head coach, he is enjoying being a rookie once again.

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Jim Gazzolo is a freelance writer who covers McNeese State athletics for the American Press. Email him at

jimgazzolo@yahoo.com