MLB

Berkman’s culture shock

What struck Andy Pettitte hardest when he left the Yankees for the Astros after the 2003 season was not separation anxiety from the only organization he had ever known or the elation of playing in his home city.

No, what smacked Pettitte was the difference in intensity. Where was the pitch-to-pitch, inning-to-inning passion that had been so part of Yankees life? Where were the second-by-second critiques from the fans and media? Where was the unrelenting expectations to thrive?

Even after three years as an Astro, he never could reconcile the absence of that fervor.

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Now Lance Berkman is experiencing the same scenario, only in reverse. A Texan who schooled at Rice and had played exclusively for the Astros, Berkman not only has to adapt to New York, but figure out how to raise his game from the dredges of the majors’ worst division to the top of the best. No spring training to integrate into the clubhouse. No offseason to relocate your family. No time even really to recalibrate your thoughts and emotions.

Right into a pennant race for the defending champions. And just to heighten the degree of difficulty, Berkman is doing this at 34. In the midst of his worst season. With the switch-hitter’s righty swing in the trash and his lefty swing at some level of disarray, as well.

It is kind of like joining an introduction to Chinese class three months into the semester.

“You are an interloper,” Berkman said.

Yet Berkman agreed to all of this. Invoked his no-trade clause to shun the White Sox. Said yes to the Yankees because he wanted all the stuff that was oxygen to his pal, Pettitte.

But there is a toxic element with this brew. A week ago last night, Berkman was taking batting practice before Astros-Brewers, two NL Central afterthoughts. There is anonymity in that forum, no penalties for failure. Last night, though, was Berkman’s introduction to Red Sox-Yankees and also his introduction to Bronx booing, as he went 0-for-4 to fall to 2-for-19 since the trade.

“I am hitting a buck and change, and so if I didn’t hear boos I would be surprised,” Berkman said.

The Yankees lost 6-3 and Javier Vazquez was the main culprit in enabling Boston to crawl within five games of first place. But the six-seven lineup combo of Berkman and Curtis Granderson abetted in the loss, going hitless in eight at-bats.

Berkman did smash a liner to center off Daniel Bard with Robinson Cano on second in the eighth. But Jacoby Ellsbury made a sprawling catch. His other at-bats, however, resulted in three tepid grounders.

“Thank goodness I am not a young player trying to battle through stuff in New York,” Berkman said.

But already he is getting a window into the differences in tolerance and expectations. Despite a low-impact .245 season for Houston, he was never moved out of the three or four spots in the lineup. Nevertheless, the Yankees already have abandoned the notion of Berkman as their No. 2 hitter. He batted sixth last night with Jorge Posada out of the lineup, and probably will move to seventh today.

But, like the second spot, Berkman will not keep a position in the order based on comfort and reputation, as he did in Houston. Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long insists Berkman’s abilities have not decayed. He sees the roots of a potent bat, especially left-handed.

“Obviously I want more, but you know on a championship-caliber team one big homer or RBI single can really change things,” Berkman said. “I really still feel I can help.”

He will get to prove that over more than what, so far, is five uninspiring games as a Yankee. But his time here is limited. Berkman will try to embrace the rampaging, relentless beast of expectation and pressure and history that Pettitte so missed when he was gone. Berkman asked to be dealt in, season already in progress. Will he love it or regret it?

joel.sherman@nypost.com