ST. LOUIS — Most Houston Astros fans will always regard Lance
Berkman as one of the franchise’s all-time greats.

But he’ll also have a special place in the history of the
Astros’ rival, the St. Louis Cardinals.

Berkman, a 36-year-old lifelong Texan who graduated from New
Braunfels Canyon High and led Rice University to its first College
World Series appearance in 1997, hit the historic game-tying
two-out, two-strike single in the bottom of the 10th inning of Game
6 on Thursday night.

The Cardinals were twice one strike away from losing the World
Series in six games, but they bounce back to win 10-9 in 11 innings
and captured Game 7, 6-2.

Berkman went 1-for-3 with two runs scored in the deciding
seventh game.

The Cardinals won their 11th World Series Championship, which is
second to only the New York Yankees.

Berkman starred on the Astros’ 2005 World Series runner-up team
that was swept by the Chicago White Sox.

He was traded to the New York Yankees last August and helped
lead them to the American League Championship Series, where they
lost to the Rangers in six games.

In free agency, Berkman chose to sign with the Cardinals over
his home state Rangers. He told 1560 KGOW-AM in Houston that he
didn’t think the Rangers would get back to the World Series.

He apologized for those comments before the 2011 World Series
started.

The Cardinals weren’t even a likely candidate to make the
postseason, as they had to rally to catch the Atlanta Braves for
the National League Wild Card spot.

They won their season finale at Minute Maid Park to clinch the
Wild Card, then went on to defeat the World Series favorite,
Philadelphia Phillies, in five games, before defeating the
Milwaukee Brewers in six.

Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) – Ricky Adams, a first-round draft pick of the
Houston Astros in 1977 and a member of the Angels’ 1982 Western Division
championship club, passed away Friday in Rancho Cucamonga, CA following a
lengthy bout with cancer. He was 52.

Adams played 66 games as a utility infielder during the 1982 and 1983
campaigns. He spent 1985 with San Francisco before returning to the Angels
farm system for his final professional season in 1987. All told, he played in
120 major league games and had a .215 batting average with four homers and 16
RBI.

The Sports Network

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Ricky Adams, a utility infielder on the Los Angeles Angels’ 1982 Western Division championship team, died Friday after a long battle with cancer. He was 52.

The team said he died in Rancho Cucamonga.

Adams was a first-round pick of the Houston Astros in 1977. He signed with the Angels in 1980 and went on to make his major league debut with them in September 1982. He played 66 games as a utility infielder during the 1982 and ‘83 seasons. Adams played two seasons with San Francisco before returning to the Angels’ farm system for his final professional season in 1987.

He is survived by his wife, Tammy, and their four children, Ashley, Joshua, Adam and Garrett.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

	   Players that have hit home runs to end World Series games, with year, game
number, inning and final score (x-ended World Series):
	   David Freese(notes), St. Louis vs. Texas, 2011, Game 6, 11th, 10-9.
	   Scott Podsednik(notes), Chicago White Sox, vs. Houston Astros, 2005, Game 2, 9th,
7-6.
	   Alex Gonzalez(notes), Florida Marlins vs. New York Yankees, 2003, Game 4, 12th,
4-3.
	   Derek Jeter(notes), New York Yankees vs. Arizona, 2001, Game 4, 10th, 4-3.
	   Chad Curtis, New York Yankees vs. Atlanta, 1999, Game 3, 10th, 6-5.
	   x-Joe Carter, Toronto vs. Philadelphia, 1993, Game 6, 9th, 8-6.
	   Kirby Puckett, Minnesota vs. Atlanta, 1991, Game 6, 11th, 4-3.
	   Mark McGwire, Oakland vs. Los Angeles, 1988, Game 3, 9th, 2-1.
	   Kirk Gibson, Los Angeles vs. Oakland, 1988, Game 1, 9th, 5-4.
	   Carlton Fisk, Boston vs. Cincinnati, 1975, Game 6, 12th, 7-6.
	   Mickey Mantle, New York Yankees vs. St. Louis, 1964, Game 3, 9th, 2-1.
	   x-Bill Mazeroski, Pittsburgh vs. New York Yankees, 1960, Game 7, 9th, 10-9.
	   Eddie Mathews, Milwaukee vs. New York Yankees, 1957, Game 4, 10th, 7-5.
	   Dusty Rhodes, New York Giants vs. Cleveland, 1954, Game 1, 10th, 5-2.
	   Tommy Henrich, New York Yankees vs. Brooklyn, 1949, Game 1, 9th, 1-0.
	   

More In Business

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	   2011-- David Freese(notes), St. Louis Cardinals
	   2010-- Cody Ross(notes), San Francisco Giants
	   2009-- Ryan Howard(notes), Philadelphia Phillies
	   2008-- Cole Hamels(notes), Philadelphia Phillies
	   2007-- Matt Holliday(notes), Colorado Rockies
	   2006-- Jeff Suppan(notes), St. Louis Cardinals
	   2005-- Roy Oswalt(notes), Houston Astros
	   2004-- Albert Pujols(notes), St. Louis Cardinals
	   2003-- Ivan Rodriguez(notes), Florida Marlins
	   2002-- Benito Santiago, San Francisco Giants
	   2001-- Craig Counsell(notes), Arizona Diamondbacks
	   2000-- Mike Hampton(notes), New York Mets
	   1999-- Eddie Perez, Atlanta Braves
	   1998-- Sterling Hitchcock, San Diego Padres
	   1997-- Livan Hernandez(notes), Florida Marlins
	   1996-- Javy Lopez, Atlanta Braves
	   1995-- Mike Devereaux, Atlanta Braves
	   1994-- strike
	   1993-- Curt Schilling, Philadelphia Phillies
	   1992-- John Smoltz(notes), Atlanta Braves
	   1991-- Steve Avery, Atlanta Braves
	   1990-- Rob Dibble and Randy Myers, Cincinnati Reds
	   1989-- Will Clark, San Francisco Giants
	   1988-- Orel Hershiser, Los Angeles Dodgers
	   1987-- Jeffrey Leonard, San Francisco Giants
	   1986-- Mike Scott, Houston Astros
	   1985-- Ozzie Smith, St. Louis Cardinals
	   1984-- Steve Garvey, San Diego Padres
	   1983-- Gary Matthews, Philadelphia Phillies
	   1982-- Darrell Porter, St. Louis Cardinals
	   1981-- Burt Hooton, Los Angeles Dodgers
	   1980-- Manny Trillo, Philadelphia Phillies
	   1979-- Willie Stargell, Pittsburgh Pirates
	   1978-- Steve Garvey, Los Angeles Dodgers
	   1977-- Dusty Baker, Los Angeles Dodgers

	   2011-- David Freese(notes), St. Louis Cardinals
	   2010-- Cody Ross(notes), San Francisco Giants
	   2009-- Ryan Howard(notes), Philadelphia Phillies
	   2008-- Cole Hamels(notes), Philadelphia Phillies
	   2007-- Matt Holliday(notes), Colorado Rockies
	   2006-- Jeff Suppan(notes), St. Louis Cardinals
	   2005-- Roy Oswalt(notes), Houston Astros
	   2004-- Albert Pujols(notes), St. Louis Cardinals
	   2003-- Ivan Rodriguez(notes), Florida Marlins
	   2002-- Benito Santiago, San Francisco Giants
	   2001-- Craig Counsell(notes), Arizona Diamondbacks
	   2000-- Mike Hampton(notes), New York Mets
	   1999-- Eddie Perez, Atlanta Braves
	   1998-- Sterling Hitchcock, San Diego Padres
	   1997-- Livan Hernandez(notes), Florida Marlins
	   1996-- Javy Lopez, Atlanta Braves
	   1995-- Mike Devereaux, Atlanta Braves
	   1994-- strike
	   1993-- Curt Schilling, Philadelphia Phillies
	   1992-- John Smoltz(notes), Atlanta Braves
	   1991-- Steve Avery, Atlanta Braves
	   1990-- Rob Dibble and Randy Myers, Cincinnati Reds
	   1989-- Will Clark, San Francisco Giants
	   1988-- Orel Hershiser, Los Angeles Dodgers
	   1987-- Jeffrey Leonard, San Francisco Giants
	   1986-- Mike Scott, Houston Astros
	   1985-- Ozzie Smith, St. Louis Cardinals
	   1984-- Steve Garvey, San Diego Padres
	   1983-- Gary Matthews, Philadelphia Phillies
	   1982-- Darrell Porter, St. Louis Cardinals
	   1981-- Burt Hooton, Los Angeles Dodgers
	   1980-- Manny Trillo, Philadelphia Phillies
	   1979-- Willie Stargell, Pittsburgh Pirates
	   1978-- Steve Garvey, Los Angeles Dodgers
	   1977-- Dusty Baker, Los Angeles Dodgers

The AL West may soon be welcoming another team as the Houston Astros may be joining the division as soon as 2013, according to Peter Gammons. 

The reported sale of the team to Houston businessman Jim Crane should be finalized sometime in Nonvember, but since the 2012 MLB schedule has already been released the team likely can’t join the AL West until the 2013 season, giving the team and the league some time to sort out all the fun that comes with a team jumping into a new division. 

Crane reportedly has spoken with MLB Commissioner Bud Selig about the divisional move, which would even out all the AL leagues at five teams a piece, as well as moving the NL Central back to five teams as well. Other than changing from the National League rules to the American, it would make the Astros-Rangers rivalry a divisional matchup, giving fans in Texas a lot of chances to brag about who’s the best in the Lone Star State. 

Tuesday, October 11, 2011 – 6:05pm

The entire Houston Astros coaching staff will remain intact for next season after the team agreed to one-year contracts with pitching coach Doug Brocail and hitting coach Mike Barnett on Tuesday.

The Astros signed manager Brad Mills, third base coach Dave Clark, first base coach Bobby Meacham, bench coach Al Pedrique and bullpen coach Jamie Quirk to two-year contracts at the end of last season that run through the 2012 season. The franchise also holds an option for the 2013 season on Mills’ contract.

Brocail has worked as interim pitching coach since June 14 when
the Astros fired Brad Arnsberg. Brocail spent 15 seasons pitching
in the majors before retiring in 2009. Barnett has worked for the
Astros since Nov. 2010 after working as the team’s minor league
hitting coordinator.

The Astros finished with a major-league worst 56-106 record for
the first 100-loss season in franchise history.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

HOUSTON — The entire Houston Astros coaching staff will remain intact for next season after the team agreed to one-year contracts with pitching coach Doug Brocail and hitting coach Mike Barnett on Tuesday.

The Astros signed manager Brad Mills, third base coach Dave Clark, first base coach Bobby Meacham, bench coach Al Pedrique and bullpen coach Jamie Quirk to two-year contracts at the end of last season that run through the 2012 season. The franchise also holds an option for the 2013 season on Mills’ contract.

Brocail has worked as interim pitching coach since June 14 when the Astros fired Brad Arnsberg. Brocail spent 15 seasons pitching in the majors before retiring in 2009. Barnett has worked for the Astros since Nov. 2010 after working as the team’s minor league hitting co-ordinator.

The Astros finished with a major-league worst 56-106 record for the first 100-loss season in franchise history.

HOUSTON The entire Houston Astros coaching staff will remain intact for next season after the team agreed to one-year contracts with pitching coach Doug Brocail and hitting coach Mike Barnett on Tuesday.

The Astros signed manager Brad Mills, third base coach Dave Clark, first base coach Bobby Meacham, bench coach Al Pedrique and bullpen coach Jamie Quirk to two-year contracts at the end of last season that run through the 2012 season. The franchise also holds an option for the 2013 season on Mills’ contract.

Brocail has worked as interim pitching coach since June 14 when the Astros fired Brad Arnsberg. Brocail spent 15 seasons pitching in the majors before retiring in 2009. Barnett has worked for the Astros since Nov. 2010 after working as the team’s minor league hitting coordinator.

The Astros finished with a major-league worst 56-106 record for the first 100-loss season in franchise history.

HOUSTON — The entire Houston Astros coaching staff will remain intact for next season after the team agreed to one-year contracts with pitching coach Doug Brocail and hitting coach Mike Barnett on Tuesday.

The Astros signed manager Brad Mills, third base coach Dave Clark, first base coach Bobby Meacham, bench coach Al Pedrique and bullpen coach Jamie Quirk to two-year contracts at the end of last season that run through the 2012 season. The franchise also holds an option for the 2013 season on Mills’ contract.

Brocail has worked as interim pitching coach since June 14 when the Astros fired Brad Arnsberg. Brocail spent 15 seasons pitching in the majors before retiring in 2009. Barnett has worked for the Astros since Nov. 2010 after working as the team’s minor league hitting coordinator.

The Astros finished with a major-league worst 56-106 record for the first 100-loss season in franchise history.

HOUSTON — The entire Houston Astros coaching staff will remain intact for next season after the team agreed to one-year contracts with pitching coach Doug Brocail and hitting coach Mike Barnett on Tuesday.

The Astros signed manager Brad Mills, third base coach Dave Clark, first base coach Bobby Meacham, bench coach Al Pedrique and bullpen coach Jamie Quirk to two-year contracts at the end of last season that run through the 2012 season. The franchise also holds an option for the 2013 season on Mills’ contract.

Brocail has worked as interim pitching coach since June 14 when the Astros fired Brad Arnsberg. Brocail spent 15 seasons pitching in the majors before retiring in 2009. Barnett has worked for the Astros since Nov. 2010 after working as the team’s minor league hitting coordinator.

The Astros finished with a major-league worst 56-106 record for the first 100-loss season in franchise history.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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The Houston Astros have agreed to terms on one-
year contracts with hitting coach Mike Barnett and pitching coach Doug
Brocail.

Barnett was hired last November after serving as the Astros’ minor league
hitting coordinator from 2009-10. Brocail had served as interim pitching coach
since June 14.

The contracts mean the Astros’ entire major league coaching staff will return
in 2012. Following the 2010 season, third base coach Dave Clark, first base
coach Bobby Meacham, bench coach Al Pedrique and bullpen coach Jamie Quirk
were all signed to two-year contracts. Manager Brad Mills is signed through
2012 with a club option for 2013.

©2011 Sports Network. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

HOUSTON – Doug Brocail has decided to return as pitching coach of the Houston Astros for the 2012 season.

Brocail, who had been working as a special assistant to the general manager since 2010, replaced Brad Arnsberg as pitching coach when he was fired midway through last season.

Brocail, along with the rest of the Astros coaching staff, was invited to return to the club next year.

However, he wanted to discuss the decision with his family before committing to another year in uniform.

Brocail played 15 years in the big leagues, including three different stints with the Astros, primarily as a middle reliever.

He retired following the 2009 season.

As the innings of postseason baseball piled up on Monday night, Houston Astros pitcher Bud Norris(notes) finally decided enough was enough.

Annoyed that the endless loop of Brian Wilson’s(notes) Taco Bell commercial was only being broken by some occasional baseball action and Ray Romano’s 42,563rd check delivery to the same two women, the Houston Astros pitcher registered his displeasure on Twitter.

Ballplayers, they’re just like us!  

Hey Bud, why don’t you tell us how you really feel?

Some of you might think that a pitcher on a 106-loss team is talking out of turn against a closer who recorded the final out of the 2010 World Series. But Norris speaking out against a colleague really shows how much these relentless postseason ads can wear on a man. While it’s true that we initially liked these Brian Wilson ads for their authenticity we made the mistake of not considering they’d be appearing on TBS more than Peter Griffin and Conan O’Brien.

On the bright side, at least Wilson’s relentless chalupa hawking has led to one of the most-inspired Dugouts we’ve read in quite some time. Take note, TBS. Very funny.

Want more Big League Stew all postseason long?
Follow ‘Duk on Facebook and Twitter!

Related: Brian Wilson, Bud Norris, Houston Astros, Baseball Commercials, 2011 Postseason

TAMPA – Haines City resident and Houston Astros outfielder Jordan J. Schafer was arrested early Tuesday in Tampa on a charge of possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana, Tampa police said.

Schafer, 25, graduated from Winter Haven High School and was drafted in the third round of the 2005 Major League Draft by the Atlanta Braves. Earlier this season he was traded to the Astros.

Three people, including Schafer, were stopped at a red light at Columbus Drive and Glen Avenue while traveling in a black Land Rover about 12:30 a.m., police said.

Officers in an unmarked police car in the lane over smelled marijuana coming from the car and saw the driver of the vehicle smoking marijuana.

Police pulled over the vehicle and found 25.9 grams of marijuana along with peanut butter cups containing marijuana, police said. Schafer told police the marijuana belonged to him, police said.

Schafer was booked into the Hillsborough County Jail. He posted $2,000 bail and was released at 5:15 a.m. Tuesday.

As a Braves minor leaguer and top prospect, Schafer was suspended 50 games in 2008 for use of Human Growth Hormone, according to Major League Baseball.

The Houston Astros said they had no comment about the arrest, according to a press release from the team.

Schafer’s family in Haines City could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Schafer hit .245 and stole seven bases in 30 games for the Astros after being acquired in a trade on July 31.