Anyone else remember his comments after Opening Day '06, when Roy-O pitched for a 1-0 win?  When asked about the low offensive performance of the team, he said something along the lines of "What, we gave Roy 1 run.  All he had to do was hold them to 0.  I mean, the guy only works 1 day a week and goes golfing the other days while we have to keep playing games."

However, I do find his attitude frustrating at times.  Yes, baseball is a game, and therefore it shouldn't be the focus of his life--I would agree if one argued that his priorities are appropriate.  However, it is also his job, one for which he is very well paid.  In my job, I must show up ready to work every day.  I don't think it's unreasonable to expect him to show up, ready to work (meaning, fit), on day one.  Also, from a Christian standpoint, if one considers all one's blessings as gifts from God (as I do), then what does it say that he seems to take those gifts for granted?

Nobody is asking him to turn into a fist-pumping machine.  But he often seems to cross the line from laid-back to indifferent.  People pay a lot of money to watch him play--is it too much to ask for him to seem to care about that?

I played all sports growing up and follow most now. The one knock everyone tells me, because they know I love baseball, is that baseball players aren't athletes. And it pisses me off to no end. Baseball is the only sport that you can be a professional and not in great shape.

That is why I am always screaming about fat players and the Astros being a fat team, because my friends always point it out. And it is true. Think about how you would look at Carlos Lee or Prince Fielder if you grew up playing basketball and you followed the NBA. The MLB players would look ridiculous to you.

If he waits until June to get it going this year, the Astros have another lost season.

Berkman is critical to the Astors success. All we ask is that he prepare himself properly. I think he gives his best during the game (Except for running to first sometimes). He needs to get physically fit in January and February ang get his timing down in February not June.