Rick Ankiel to start in Cardinals OF tonight

The Coffee Shop
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http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/topstory/sports/ankiel0212.jpg
Rick Ankiel was a St. Louis Cardinals left-handed pitching phenom who had an oustanding year in his first full season (2000) at 20 years of age. Ankiel was 11-7 , 9th in ERA, 2nd in K/9inn, 7th in K’s, and was 2nd in Rookie of the Year voting.

What happened later that year was both confusing, tragic, and/or astonishing. In the 2000 playoffs, Ankiel fell apart. As witnessed by many, his pitching career ended. Ankiel threw 9 wild pitches and walked 6 batters in 2 and 2/3’s innings. The strikeout phenom could no longer throw a strike.

7 Years later …

http://cardinalsnation.mlblogs.com/josh_martins_st_louis_car/images/rick_ankiel.jpg

After going back to single A baseball, Ankiel decided to try to become an outfielder (as he was a decent hitting pitcher in MLB), rather than try to rebuild his pitching dominance after failing to make the 2001 spring training roster (still couldn’t throw strikes).

It’s taken 7 years amid lots of jokes, hecklers, and doubters, but TONIGHT, as a recently turned 28yo outfield, Rick Ankiel will once against start in the major leagues, after hitting 32 home runs this year in AAA (Yeah, it sound like and IS a lot of homers).

Rick Ankiel Sr is serving time in prison for cocaine charges, and IMO, it is just amazing that Ankiel stuck with it rather than retiring with a big signing bonus and go into hiding. As a cardinal fan, and one who is ashamed of mark McGwire, this is one story that I, and all of us can feel good about. Regardless of well he does, just making it back is something worth saluting … making it back at a completely different position is awesome.

I wish him the best.

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This guy was a time bomb in 2000… I remember seeing him plastered in bars all over STL draped in skanks. Had quite the reputation around town.

Honestly, I felt bad in the playoffs for him. He seemed like an alright guy sober and had some bad role models. Good for him. I hope he stays up and does well.

Side note - I think this means the Cardinals officially give up, they had only 99.9% given up til now.

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This guy was a time bomb in 2000… I remember seeing him plastered in bars all over STL draped in skanks. Had quite the reputation around town.

Way back in 2000, I still knew some ex-opponents (college) that were playing in the major leagues, and some teammates that were in AA and AAA. The “talk” was that Ankiel’s dad wasn’t the only one involved with cocaine.

Honestly, I felt bad in the playoffs for him. He seemed like an alright guy sober and had some bad role models.

Honestly, it’s cases like Ankiel, Dwight Gooden, etc that make me wonder if I would really like to win the lottery. Having the capability to do whatever I want, whenever I want, and have everything I want, might reveal some character flaws/tendencies I don’t know about (and don’t want to know about). I can safely say, if I were a 20yo in the majors, with mega money, and everyone telling me how great I am, I would have been out of control … like Tommy Morrisson in Kansas City (Westport section) “out of control”.

Side note - I think this means the Cardinals officially give up, they had only 99.9% given up til now.

  1. I thought the Cardinals season ended when Carpenter said he’d be done for the year … Tommy John surgery.

  2. Whether this is the “white flag” depends on how Ankiel does. I told my dad 2 years ago, “They need to either bring him up or cut him loose” regarding Ankiel and I wondered if they kept him around because they felt guilty about something. But his performance this year pretty much demanded that he come up (especially since Ludwig was called up before him). With Encarnacion future in doubt, Edmonds career coming to an end (or should be), and Duncan’s contract coming up (and his desire to play 1st base), they have to find out about Ankiel NOW.

They will likely not win the division, and this move is more about evaluating who they can trade and who they need to keep. Right now, Duncan, Ankiel, Shumacker, and Ludwig are all young outfielders. I don’t think many of the OF’s futures are certain.

In a division where Sheets’ injury crushed the brewers, and Soriano’s injury might be a lot longer than they think (remember back to april/may to how cough good the cubs were w/o him), and if Ankiel provides a spark, the cards may once again, despite major injuries, win a very weak central. I think the cards are 6 games back.

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The “talk” was that Ankiel’s dad wasn’t the only one involved with cocaine.

– Talk with that is typically correct. Same talk around Hancock, but not with blow. He was known for being in the bars/clubs after games steady drinking. Ankiel did not do a good job of hiding intoxication around town. Cardinals did lack clubhouse role models then, so no one reigned him in. Tony has a hands off approach to players personal lives, sometimes to the organizations detriment.

–Where’d you play ball at? One of my best friends played CC with Buerhle and I went to Quincy w/ Josh Kinney (cards) and Josh Rabe (twins). I played soccer, can’t do shit w/ my hands.

I can safely say, if I were a 20yo in the majors, with mega money, and everyone telling me how great I am, I would have been out of control …

– I did that the last 2 years. I’m just getting back into triathlon after partying like a moron after having some very good business success. I wasn’t famous or even that rich, but still acted like a retard. I can see how it happens to them. It’s sooooo easy if you don’t have a good family to keep you grounded. Parties, booze, drugs, women are everwhere if you have money and fame.

  1. You’re right, but I think some people never gave up after last years turn around.

  2. Correct - Cubs choked… I’d like to see an Ankiel, Duncan, Ludwick outfield. Edmonds should not have been resigned, he made a great business decision getting us to sign him for 2 more years for that price. Encarnacion has no passion, is not clutch, non-chalante, and just is generally hated by Cards fans. He’s gone… and if we win I have to start caring again like last year.

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This guy was a time bomb in 2000… I remember seeing him plastered in bars all over STL draped in skanks. Had quite the reputation around town.

So he was hanging out with you? ;^)

Honestly, I felt bad in the playoffs for him. He seemed like an alright guy sober and had some bad role models. Good for him. I hope he stays up and does well.

Side note - I think this means the Cardinals officially give up, they had only 99.9% given up til now.

I think it means the opposite. The Cards are 6 out with the Brewers floundering and the Cubs losing Soriano and Ramirez and their ace having a meltdown. Brining Ankiel up is TLR looking for an offensive boost to push them up the the top of the division.

On another note Scott Speizio is on the DL with a substance abuse problem. That’s how they had space for Ankiel on the roster.

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So he was hanging out with you? ;^)

**-- **We knew some of the same people… unfortunately for both of us. I never met him, but if I was saying he looked bombed, that’s saying quite a bit.

**On another note Scott Speizio is on the DL with a substance abuse problem. That’s how they had space for Ankiel on the roster. **

– I didn’t know that? (trying to train my fat gut off) Probably pain killers for the finger or did they not say?

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**I think it means the opposite. The Cards are 6 out with the Brewers floundering and the Cubs losing Soriano and Ramirez and their ace having a meltdown. Brining Ankiel up is TLR looking for an offensive boost to push them up the the top of the division. **

– I hadn’t been paying attention in general since sitting first row watching us lose to the cubs. Good points you make, I hope it happens. Ankiel coming back to revitalize the cardinals to another world series would get him comeback player of the year IMO

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I played HS in Lincoln, IL, same school as The Seitzers and Brian Cook of the Lakers) … Kevin Sietzer, who finished 2nd behind McGwire in the 87 Rookie of the Year vote. (Pitched at Busch Stadium vs. Galesburg in my senior year, that rokked … we beat a sophomore pitcher who ended going in the first (or second) round – i believe – to the blue jays). Also the hometown of the pro scout (Elsworth “Brownie” Brown,) that signed Kirby Puckett.

In JuCo I pitched against Juan Acevedo who has seemingly played with every ML team and is likely best known as being a closer for the Yankees for half a season. My roomate and Acevedo were high school teammates. I made friends with a guy in town (H. Rose) that was a left-handed pitcher in the Astros (Burlington) organization, but his career ended when he took a line-drive off the face, shattering his jaw.

After that I went to a school in Iowa (MIddle of Freackin Nowhere) and my buddy Dennys Gomez was drafted in the 14th round by the Giants but never made it past AAA. That college team set 11 national div. 3 records. Most of the players were from CA, LA, and FL. I decided to transfer back to Illinois (Aurora U) after some horrible academics. Had a great year on the field, not-so hot off the field (Ankiel and I have some other similarities besides being left-handed), got scouted by the Reds (didn’t get drafted), earned a tryout at Busch stadium and threw 2innings in a simulated game without giving up a hit and striking out 2 (4 ground-outs). Didn’t get signed, got a “we’ll watch you in college this year” and realized that I had just thrown as well as I likely could, and didn’t get signed, so I passed up the Reds tryout @ Triton Juniuor college (Chicago) and moved to KC to get ready for Med school (also met my future wife and priorities changed) and get my life in order.

At AU 2 of my teammates (pitchers) got drafted in the 12th (Boston) and 16th rd (Baltimore). I’m recalling the rounds from memory, but that’s pretty close. Neither made it above AA. The latter got drafted despite pitching only 16 innings during the season. He threw a complete game 2-hitter with 16K’s while hitting 93 on the gun in a regional championship game. (Like I’ve said before, some teams wins IN SPITE of their coach.)

Currently, I occassionaly play long catch with a left-handed reliver in the Arizona organization (AA). He’s got a real shot at moving up. I also coached and continue to play catch with Pakland College (traditional JuCo powerhouse, same school as Acevedo) ace, who got drafted last year in the 48th round by Florida. But, I’m quickly fading out of the loop … and it was only a small lopp to beign with.

That’s essentially my baseball story. Lots of potential, very little focus/desire. I was lucky enough to be born 6’3, left-handed, with a big curveball and decent velocity. That gets you more attention than you likely deserve. Lesson learned. The area I live in is pretty cool for baseball. Lots of small, private colleges that turn out a decent amount of talent and feature a couple of coaching legends, Gordie Gillespie and Irish O’Reilly.

It is what it is.

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Ankiel just hit a 3-run homer.

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You’re career sounds just like my buddy’s… He’s 6’3’', left handed pitcher who could throw mid-90’s then threw his arm out at juco.

Now he drinks daily, does laundry at my house, and is a broke PE teacher. At least you realized it and did the med school while you could. Did you go to UMKC?

I had pro soccer tryouts and blew them off to go party instead. I was so burned out and too realized I was never going to be any better than I was my senior year of college. Thank god I got a degree when I was there. People always ask me if I still play and I say now and then, but I really don’t. I hate sucking at things I was really good at and have no chance of being as good as again.

Thus the beginning of triathlon training 7 years ago.

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Ah shit, I have to care again… I was in the car and got the Busch Stadium goosebumps when they gave him the standing ovation.

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Wow - has it really been so long? I was at that 2000 playoff game. His season then was something else…he had a decently fast fastball and he hit a homerun. I went to a LOT of Cards games that year and he was certainly a fan favorite. And then the playoffs.

I have dropped out of watching baseball this year (just too much else going on in my life right now) but I hope he is able to do something in the outfield. I never thought he’d be out of the minors.

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**At least you realized it and did the med school while you could. Did you go to UMKC? **

No, I was finishing my undergraduate degree at park University and had to tutor some high school kids at Ruskin High School (completely different demographic than me) as part of a diversity class. After a couple of sessions, I knew teaching was for me. I taught science and coached for 4 years and am now an elementary school principal. It’s awesome.

Sorry to hear about your buddy. During my playing days I was around 165pounds (nickname was “Slim”). A Reds scout came to practice to watch me throw, and afterwards he called me over and asked, “Have you ever heard of chocolate cake?” “Sure” “Ever eat any?” Everybody’s a comedian. a couple years later I learned of steaks, milk, and squats, and gained up to a BW of 200 in good condition. If there’s one regret, it’s that I didn’t start strength-training earlier (or had a coach that recommended it, instead of running, running, running).

I now have a 6yo that is baseball crazy and is dying to be a catcher. He practices with a junior high team that I help with, and practices are never too long, it’s never too hot, he’s never tired, etc. He’s killing me. Youth soccer starts on Tuesday and I’m happy just to do something different. My favorite part of practice is that I get to shag fly balls (with my son). I love running em down.

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He’ll be alright. Never recovered from living the dream of being a pro-baseball player. Maybe one day he’ll find something/someone who gets him out of the funk.

Elementary school principle huh? You must be blessed with an infinite amount of patience there. I’ve got a 5 yr old daughter and her alone is a handful, I cannot imagine hundred of kids.

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After that I went to a school in Iowa

Which one, if you don’t mind? I had a good friend who played a little at NIACC in Mason City, like 90/91ish.

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William Penn in Osklaloosa Iowa. There is NOTHING to do in that town. So, one can guess what we did all the time. Most of the guys were from Miami (Hialeah actually, transfering from Miami Dade JuCo) and Louisiana and LA (High Desert, bakersfield, etc). That was an unbelievable team. I have no idea how this coach got these guys to come to BFE Iowa to play baseball. We crushed University of Northern Iowa (Div 1in a DH), and Northern Illinois (Div 1).

I still remembering all of the “Miami” guys sprinting to JC Penny to buy parkas because they were F-R-E-E-Z-I-N-G … and it was just the end of october. Watching them walk across an icy parking lot was one of my greatest moments.

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That is hilarious. I live in Oskaloosa.

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LOL. I attended for one semester (Spring 93), and then transferred to AU. When I drove home to Illinois I witnesses some of the higher flooded areas. That was sad. I had a teammate from Des Moises stay in his dorm over the summer because his house had water up to the 2nd floor.

I just heard a commentator talk about Rick Ankiel’s comeback and compared it to Roy Hobbs (the Natural). Initially it seems far-fetched, but depending on how Ankiels’ career develops, it might be somewhat accurate.

Unbelievable, I’ve been giddy all day about Ankiel’s homer.

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2 more homers today against LA.

A real-life version of “The natural”. This IS A-W-E-S-O-M-E!

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I just saw the highlights at Chili’s in Morris, IL after a junior high double-header. I don’t know if the back of my neck could possibly get any darker.

The catch was awesome, but defense is likely to go before power. If there’s anything that can keep an old dog around in the league well past their prime, it’s “stickin’ the ball” … often in the AL as a DH.

LaRussa says Ankiel will be in the majors for “at least 10 years”. He’s usually not over-emotional and has a good evaluator of talent.

Well, here we go again. The cardinals pick up Pineiro a cast-off from Boston, and call up Ankiel from AAA and are making a move at winning the division. I’ve seen this movie before. I hope the sequel was as good as the original (2006). grin