JUPITER, Fla. -- It wasn't long between Lance Berkman's first step into the St. Louis Cardinals clubhouse and his first story-and-laugh swap with teammates.

It had to be less than 15 minutes -- easy -- before Berkman was positioned in the pitchers' corner and cracking up Cardinals.

The Cardinals new right fielder and good-chemistry catalyst made his first appearance at the club's spring training complex Friday morning. He kidded that the schedule said the first official workout date was Feb. 19, so, silly him, he showed up in time to work out on Feb. 19.

"If a game broke out right now, I think I could play pretty well," Berkman told the media. "I'm not in midseason form, but for Feb. 18 I feel pretty good."

Asked if he would like to play in a game right now, Berkman grinned.

"Let me ease into that."

The five-time All-Star and a Houston Astros icon is in his first spring training with another team, and it just so happens to be his longtime rival, the team he played against in consecutive National League Championship Series. Berkman is as unfazed about his move to the other side of the rivalry as he is about his move to the outfield. The switch-hitter has not played in the outfield as a regular since 2004, Colby Rasmus' junior year in high school.

He doesn't expect his usual spring schedule to change too much to include extra time in the outfield. He's seen a fly ball. He's got a pretty good idea that gravity isn't different in St. Louis.

Berkman said he doesn't expect to take the field until Saturday, the scheduled day for the Cardinals' first official full-squad workout here at Roger Dean Stadium's complex.

"I have a pretty good familiarity with most of the guys in here just having played in the same division against these guys for so long," Berkman said. "I know a lot of the people in here."

More coverage from Cardinals spring training later today here at StlToday.com and in tomorrow's Post-Dispatch.

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