Berkman shows up at Rangers camp without glove

Lance Berkman showed up at the Rangers Spring Training facility in Surprise Arizona Friday without one key piece of equipment… his glove. The Big Puma said he had always depended on the Astros equipment manager to ship all of his gear to Spring Training and he simply forgot. Sure Lance, we believe you.

Lance Berkman (Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports)

Chances are Berkman left his glove at home on purpose. After all, he signed with the Rangers to be a designated hitter, not a first baseman. Lance probably figured the $10 million the Rangers are paying him is strictly for his bat. Fielding? That’s gonna cost extra.

Berkman missed most of last season due to knee injuries. Two surgeries later, Lance says he is at about 80% entering camp. The Rangers are said to be letting him work at his own pace and hoping he will be ready for Opening Day.

If Berkman is able to play on March 31 against the Astros it will be interesting to see what kind of reception he gets from the crowd at Minute Maid Park. Then again, that crowd may consist of mostly Rangers fans. Either way, it will still be interesting.