HOUSTON — The last of the Killer B’s still buzzing around — unless, that is, Michael Bourn has graduated to the hive — Houston Astros first baseman Lance Berkman has become one of those likable adversaries that populates the St. Louis Cardinals’ best rivalry of the past decade.

Berkman will have spent much of his career as a divisional rival — and really a complement — to Albert Pujols. Berkman is a career .300 hitter. He recently hit his 300th career home run and he’s one of the several hitters who have reached 1,000 RBIs this season. Berkman recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of his major-league debut and this season he’ll reach eligibility for the Hall of Fame. Since 1999, among switch-hitters only Chipper Jones has more homers (310), only Carlos Beltran has more RBIs (1016) and only Jones and Jose Vidro have better batting averages.

But how many of them can use “varmint” in everyday conversation?

That’s what Berkman did during the Astros first visit to Busch Stadium this season, when he took his cuts at The P-DQ questions. The All-Star Game special section revealed the assignment behind these P-DQ Q & As, but many more were done than were used in the section. So, with the break over and the Cardinals visiting Minute Maid Park tonight, I figured it would be a good time to begin sprinkling the P-DQs in here again. Who better to start with than the current Mr. Astro, the last of the B Bunch and the country music star he has inside …

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What is some advice from a parent that stays with you?

I don’t know if I can remember my dad sitting me down and talking to me about anything like that. But he’s the most honest man I’ve been around. He’s honest to a fault. And that I think I really picked up from him.

What is a memorable Christmas or holiday gift you received?

I got a .22 rifle one Christmas that was pretty nice. Bolt-action .22 to varmint hunt with.

The word or phrase you use too often is …

Dadgummit.

Who is your favorite superhero?

Always been partial to Superman.

What is your greatest achievement?

Fathering three lovely daughters.

What is your current state of mind?

Beginning of the season is always an anxious time because you want to get off to a good start. It’s a little nerve-wracking right now.

What is your greatest extravagance or indulgence?

My ranch. It’s in central Texas. I spend a lot of time and money on it.

Who was your favorite ballplayer growing up?

Don Mattingly

What was your first car?

1977 Ford F-100 Pickup.

What is your current car?

Ford F-250 2008

The place you’ve got to visit before you die is …

Augusta, Ga. The Masters.

What is the most embarrassing song on your iPod?

“Material Girl”, by Madonna.

The movie you’ll stop to watch whenever it comes on is …

“Lonesome Dove”

Do you sing in the shower or in the car?

Any old hymn from church.

You know you’re in the minors when …

When you wake up at 3 a.m. to get on a bus to go to the airport to catch a 6 o’clock flight to go across the country.

I tune out when people talk about …

I pretty much hear everything.

I wish I knew how to …

Sing really well. Because if I could I’d be a Country music singer. That would be a great job.

The actor to play me in the movie of my life …

Ray Liotta.

What is your greatest fear?

Something happen to one of my kids.

What is your treasured possession?

I have a Bible that was my dad’s. It’s just the New Testament, and he had it when he was my age and he marked it all up. So now I have it.

When I think of St. Louis, I think of …

The Cardinals. I mean the great games that we’ve played against the Cardinals here. I’ve had more fun playing baseball in the big leagues here than anywhere else.

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Previous P-DQs: Adam Wainwright … CC Sabathia … Skip Schumaker … David Wright … Brian Barton … Ryan Ludwick. … Ryan Franklin. … Brad Lidge … Chris Carpenter. … Brandon Phillips. … Todd Wellemeyer. … Dustin Pedroia. … Jason Isringhausen. … Chris Perez. … Matt Capps. … Evan Longoria. … Brian Barden. … Joe Thurston. … Mark DeRosa.

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