Rick Ankiel

**Unchained** · August 10th, 2007, 12:10 AM

What an awesome story: Pitcher has the worst thing that can happen to him (lost strike zone), goes as far down in the minors as a player can go, learns to switch roles and becomes a power hitter (led PCL with 32 HRs this year), gets the call to the majors because Spezio has to go to substance abuse, and blasts a 3-run bomb, leading the Cards over the Padres tonight. This story should serve as the inspiration to any athlete. Don't give up. Don't ever give up. Whatta story!

http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/gamece...0070809_SD@STL

**imported_mega** · August 10th, 2007, 12:26 AM

I wonder if he can hit the cutoff man?

**NotSoSilentBob** · August 10th, 2007, 01:35 AM

He's the Rube Baker of pitchers.

**imported_Coach** · August 10th, 2007, 07:51 AM

Ankiel was a STUD on the mound until his bout with wildness.

**ChrisSabo** · August 10th, 2007, 12:30 PM

I remember watching him pitch twice when he got sent down to Johnson City. The rookie league kids could not touch him. He didn't have any problems with wildness the two games I watched him pitch then. He just couldn't seem to harness it all back as he moved back through the system.

Seems I recall him striking out like 15 in one 7 inning outing. I still have the scorecards of his games at my house somewhere.

His catcher in those games was Yadier Molina!