Rick Ankiel: Once a Disgraced Pitching Phenom, Now an Outfield Star

By Steve

Anyone remember the 2000 MLB playoffs when St. Louis Cardinals 21 year old pitching phenom Rick Ankiel had a meltdown and couldn’t throw strikes?

For years after the 2000 playoff debacle Ankiel was floating around independent baseball leagues trying to get his wildness under control. In the summer of 2005 Ankiel, playing in the Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League, had an unsuccessful 20 pitch practice outing in which he threw only 3 strikes. This was the final straw and on that day Ankiel announced that he would throwing in the towel on his pitching career and begin giving the outfield a try.

In spring of 2006 Ankiel was invited to a spring training work out with the Cardinals. They were impressed and signed him to a minor league contract as a reserve player. After working his way up thought the minors and 7 years after his 2000 playoff meltdown Ankiel made his return to the Cardinals major league roster but this time as a hitter. Last night was Rick’s first game back in a major league uniform and in the 8th inning he hit a 3 run home run.

Afterwards, LaRussa said that, after Adam Wainwright’s strikeout to win the World Series, it was the best moment he’s had in a Cardinals uniform.

Very Roy Hobbs-esque if you ask me and let’s not forget that Babe Ruth entered the league as a pitcher.

Rick Ankiel Comeback Homer 8/9/07