The artist formerly known as Fat Elvis knows how it works:

Tiger Woods won 71 times on tour, including 14 major golf championships. But because he hasn't won since September 2009, two months before his personal life became tabloid fodder, Woods has almost slipped into irrelevance.

Shortstop Derek Jeter, who entered the weekend within a whisper of becoming the first player to reach 3,000 hits in pinstripes, returned from the disabled list last week to insinuations that the New York Yankees became a lesser team by activating him.

Within his own clubhouse, first baseman Albert Pujols' fractured left wrist elicited media commentary ranging from the wisdom of his Lazarus-like return to questions about how the injury could impact his pending free agency.

So it hardly bothers Cardinals right fielder, National League home run leader and switch-hitting mood lifter Lance Berkman to consider that many within his industry last winter might have placed him among the career dead.

"It shows what a horrible season I went through last year," Berkman says. "And I think it also shows the tendency of everyone to leap to conclusions. It's a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately business. I think professional sports in general are that way. Albert, maybe the greatest hitter ever, gets off to a slow start and then has a wrist problem and people are saying, 'Is he done? Can he come back from it?' Look at Tiger. He's the greatest golfer of his generation, maybe ever, and he gets hurt in his mid-30s and everybody's like 'He's done' almost immediately.

"If those type players get it, then nobody's immune."

Berkman leaves for Major League Baseball's All-Star Game with teammates Matt Holliday and catcher Yadier Molina immediately after Sunday's series finale against Arizona. He'll deservedly start Tuesday night's game in Phoenix — not bad for someone supposedly finished last October.

His manager heard the doubts almost daily.

"Bat speed gone. Legs are gone. Can't play outfield every day," recited Tony La Russa. "This game is about showing you can do it the next time you have a chance."

Berkman, 35, entered Saturday's game with 24 home runs and 63 RBIs, more production than he managed while splitting an injury-marred 2010 between the Houston Astros and Yankees.

When the Cardinals signed Berkman to an $8 million contract last December, general manager John Mozeliak quickly was lampooned for hiring a broken-down designated hitter to play outfield for the first time in five years.

Mozeliak abstains from gloating, an involuntary reaction to a season that already has forced the Cardinals to use the disabled list 15 times.

"I don't want to jinx anything," he quips. "Plus, I'm more happy for the player than anything else. Lance has shown he's still a great player. He's been great for our clubhouse. He's been what we thought he would be."

There is triple-layered irony here.

Coming off knee surgery in March 2010 followed by a lost season, Berkman was supposed to be the health risk — the broken spoke on a team retooled for offense. Yet it is Berkman who has served as the offensive constant on a team that lost Holliday to an appendectomy and a thigh strain, Pujols to the wrist injury and third baseman David Freese to a broken left hand.

Berkman entered the weekend carrying a .996 OPS, a significant bump over his .956 career figure. He appears on track for his first 30-home run season since 2007 and has a shot at his seventh 100-RBI year.

"I'm really not that surprised by it," Berkman says. "I knew if I was healthy and if I had my swing working like I know it can work, the kind of production I've had was a possibility. I am surprised by the home runs because (Busch Stadium) is not a home run hitter's ballpark.

"It's a long year. Being an older player, you'd like to maintain the production into the second half. As the months go by, it gets increasingly more difficult. But it's been a great start."

Berkman's signing was a multi-purpose acquisition. Mozeliak knew of the Big Puma's self-deprecating sense of humor, his ability to absorb media scrutiny during bad times. Berkman never embraced the nickname "Fat Elvis" but never acted out upon hearing it.

An intense off-season conditioning program restored the spring to his legs and rendered moot the unflattering handle.

"This is one of the most entertaining, interesting teams I've ever been on," Berkman says. "I've probably had more fun in this clubhouse than I've had six or seven years. It's a bunch of good guys. It makes it fun to come to the park every day. It just seems the mix here now is very comfortable. I think that's how we've been able to weather some of these storms."

Berkman declined an invitation to participate in Monday's Home Run Derby at Chase Field, insisting his teammate Holliday more deserving.

In turning down the chance, Berkman said, "If you really want to win this thing then you need to take Matt because I'm almost embarrassed to hit in the same batting practice group with him."

Berkman has played here barely a half-season. He says it feels "like 10 years" because of how he has been embraced. Staring at huge issues after this season — Pujols' free agency and club options on Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright among them — Mozeliak tap dances around the topic of approaching Berkman about an extension.

"I think both of us recognize the value of letting the season play out," Mozeliak says. "That said, I think everyone would like for Lance to be part of this organization for a number of years."

Reminded of organizational patience, Berkman cracks a grin and a wry hint while also conceding to perspective.

"I don't have a moratorium on contract negotiations during the season. I'm open to anything," Berkman says, adding that he understands the timing might not be the best for the club. "The last thing I want to do is put the Cardinals in a spot where they feel they have to do something. I want to earn any sort of recognition like that. I want to give them their money's worth. That's more important than looking out for No. 1. They've given me a great opportunity."

Hours after discussing his journey, Berkman opened the scoring in Friday's game against the Diamondbacks with a home run, No. 24, to right field. Big Puma, it would appear, is back. Fat Elvis left the building long ago.

Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/article_00835606-4217-5feb-81c2-72cccd1b2ef8.html#ixzz1RjEdfxVG