Burkie and Roons welcome back guest Lance Berkman for part two, highlighting his college and MLB accomplishments while noting he did not advance past the first Hall of Fame ballot. Berkman explains how he created the “Big Puma” nickname and how Keith Olbermann coined “Fat Elvis,” then jokes about a “sixth tool”: convincingly faking injuries. He shares stories including grabbing his knee after forgetting the out count, a Cubs game where an umpire’s comment led him to play up a pitch that missed his head, and faking a hamstring issue while trying to relay signs. The group also recounts bare-bones Astros routines (no team stretch, hitters meetings, TVs, or breakfast) and a baserunning blunder that prompted Berkman to improve his situational awareness, ending with Berkman thanking Chris Burke for mental support.

00:00 Welcome and Sponsor

00:44 Berkman Stats Breakdown

04:14 Hall of Fame Snub?

04:47 Big Puma Origin

07:33 The "Sixth Tool" - Faking Injuries

10:06 Baltimore Outs Mixup

13:54 Bigbie Ball Story

18:29 Leave Room for Miracle

20:12 Cubs Beanball Setup

25:12 Astros Bare Bones Culture

31:56 First Sign Stealing Attempt

33:23 Fake Hamstring Timeout

35:13 Worst Baserunner Story

39:14 Parting Thanks And Wrap

For athletes and sports programs of all levels, AstroTurf has managed the entirety of the synthetic turf manufacturing process for decades. By focusing on quality, safety, and performance, AstroTurf continues to provide customized surfacing solutions for baseball and softball programs across the professional and collegiate ranks, including being the Official Synthetic Turf of MLB®. For more information, please visit https://astroturf.com/

Homefield is the industry leader in game day gear by and for true fans. Our friends at Homefield design and research EVERYTHING, from the fit and fabrics to the vintage logos, to make standout gear that defines Your Game Day. Shop the very best of Homefield, like:

• T-Shirts, hoodies, and crewnecks featuring unique designs for your school–they’ve got over 180 partner schools, which means there’s something for YOU

• Retro-style jackets for every part of the season

• Premium hats, with retro designs AND a fit for everyone

• And, just launched: The Homefield Stadium Polo, inspired by the bold, vibrant game day polos of the 90s.

You can shop the very best in game day apparel for your team NOW with Homefield. Take 15% off your first purchase with code D15 at checkout at www.homefieldapparel.com!

Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans, coaches, and everyone in between. Kerriston Coffee ships nationwide, and as a listener to The D1Baseball Podcast, you can use code D1 at https://kerristoncoffee.com to receive 15% off your first order!

SUBSCRIBE

Apple: https://d1ba.se/Pod-Apple

Spotify: https://d1ba.se/40Ne9Dq

YouTube: https://d1ba.se/yt-sub

Is your favorite team in the SEC? Make sure to check out our Highway To Hoover podcast with Joe Healy and Mark Etheridge on Apple Podcasts: https://d1ba.se/h2h-apple or Spotify: https://d1ba.se/41nyqSv

Or maybe you're a fan of ACC baseball? Then you need to check out the ACC Baseball Etc. podcast with Daron Vaught and Bradley Smart on Apple Podcasts: https://d1ba.se/etc-apple or Spotify: https://d1ba.se/4tBUuF9

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.