the big puma . . .

Lance Berkman has a world series ring! While many of us in Houston regard the Big Puma as one of the Astro greats he is also clearly a Cardinal.

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.