This June, Lance Berkman will be swinging for the fences on behalf of the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) during the 2009 Home Run Challenge. The star slugger will also wear the PCF blue wristband at each game this season to show support for a family member diagnosed with the disease. Berkman, a three-year National co-chair of the Home Run Challenge, had a phenomenal 2008 season as the Astros starting first baseman. He finished the season by hitting .312, with 46 doubles, 29 homers, and 106 RBI in 159 games. Berkman finished the season among the top 10 in the National League in multiple categories; 4th in runs (114), 5th in hitting (.312), tied for 9th in total bases (314), tied for 1st in doubles (46), 4th for extra-base hits (79), 4th for walks (99), 3rd for on-base percentage (.420), and 4th for slugging percentage (.567).

Berkman was fifth in the voting for the 2008 National League Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, following Albert Pujols, Ryan Howard, Ryan Braun, and Manny Ramirez.

Current Houston Astros shortstop, Miguel Tejada began his career with the Oakland Athletics. In that time he was one of the game’s most feared hitters. In 2002, he was awarded the American League Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. During that season Tejada hit 34 home runs while knocking in 131 RBI. Tejada is also a five time All-Star selection (2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2008), a two time Silver Slugger Award winner (2004 and 2005), and the 2005 MLB All-Star Game MVP.

On July 7, 2008, Tejada scored his 1000th career run. The Astros starting shortstop ended the 2008 season by hitting a .283, with 13 home runs, and 66 RBI in 158 games. He set the Houston Astros record for a shortstop in a single season in hits (179), doubles (38), and games palyed (158). Tejada was the first shortstop to lead the Astros in hits, since Rafael Ramirez in 1978.

 

Aaron Boone had his claim to fame with the New York Yankees in 2003. During that season, he hit a home run in the eleventh inning to give the Yankees a 6 - 5 victory over the Boston Red Sox to win the American League Eastern Division Chamipionship. He was named to the 2003 All-Star team and was named American League “Player of the Week” Twice.

In 2008, Boone recorded his 1,000th career hit on June 25th against the Los Angeles Angels, which made him the fourth member of his family to reach the 1,000-hit plateau in majors. He followed his grandfather Ray (1,260), father Bob (1,838), and brother Bret (1,775). Boone is a National co-chair of the Home Run Challenge.

The 2009 season will be Cecil Cooper’s third season with the Houston Astros, and the third year in his MLB managerial career. After originally being hired as a bench coach in 2005, then becoming an interim manager on August 27, 2007, Cooper was hired on September 28, 2007 as the official manager of the Astros. In 2008, under Cooper’s lead, the Astros finished third in the National League Central Division.