ST. LOUIS, Mo., September 22, 2011 -St. Louis Cardinals Sr. Vice President/General Manager John Mozeliak announced today that the Cardinals have agreed to terms with outfielder/first baseman Lance
Berkman on a one-year contract for the 2012 season.  Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Berkman, 35, has been a standout for the Cardinals this season, ranking among National League leaders in home runs (31), slugging pct. (.555), on-base pct. (.412) and batting average (.300), while playing a solid outfield.  Named an All-Star starter this year (his 6th selection), Berkman is batting .355 with runners in scoring position (ranking 2nd in the N.L.) and .394 during the Cardinals’ September charge.

“Lance proved to be everything we were looking for when we signed him last December,” stated Mozeliak.  “He’s an impact player who helped solidify our everyday lineup while also bringing a wealth of experience to our team.  We are excited to announce that he is going to remain a part of our team in 2012.”

The switch-hitting Berkman owns a career batting mark of .296 with 358 home runs and 1190 RBI in 1,767 games.  His career .409 on-base percentage is ranked 4th among active players and his .546 slugging mark is ranked 10th.    Berkman has placed among the N.L. top-10 in on-base pct. eight times and has finished among the league’s top-10 in batting on four occasions.  Berkman’s 358 career homers are 4th all-time among switch-hitters.

The six-time All-Star (2001-02, 2004, 2006, 2008 & 2011) holds the National League record for single-season RBI by a switch-hitter with 136 in 2006.  He’s had six seasons with 100 or more RBI and belted 25 or more home runs nine times, including a career best 45 in 2006.  His 31 home runs this season are just four shy of Rip Collins’ single-season (1934) club record of 35 by a switch-hitter.

The Cardinals announced a two-year contract extension thru 2013 for starting pitcher Chris Carpenter last week.

(St. Louis Cardinals Press Release)