Here is a kid that was one hell of a pitching prospect almost 7 or 8 years ago....he totally lose it as far as his ability to pitch, just about quits, decided to become an outfielder IN HIS 20s...and make the big league club and hits a home run ...wow...amazing! Considering all the crap that has been going on in sports....this was really nice to read!
Ankiel hits HR in return
August 10, 2007
E-mail Print Single page view Reprints Reader feedback text size: ST. LOUIS - This was such a terrific storyline, even the opponents appreciated it. "It's quite a show of athleticism and quite a show of being a baseball player. It's a great story," Padres manager Bud Black said after failed pitcher Rick Ankiel hit a three-run homer to cap his debut as a major-league outfielder in the Cardinals' 5-0 victory last night.
Ankiel, who led the Pacific Coast League with 32 homers for Triple-A Memphis, launched a 2-and-1 pitch from Doug Brocail over the rightfield wall in the seventh with an effortless swing that put the Cardinals ahead 5-0.
"I pitched the report," Brocail said. "I have no idea how he hit that ball. It's good to see the kid back, though. You know, he wasn't too bad of a pitcher."
The drive merited a standing ovation and a curtain call for the once-promising lefthander, who quit pitching in spring training 2005 because of extreme wildness and began the long climb back up the ladder as a 26-year-old minor-league outfielder.
"Short of winning the World Series, it's the happiest I've seen our club," said Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, who was misty-eyed. "I'm fighting my butt off to keep it together."
The homer was the third of Ankiel's career. "Unbelievable," he said. "You almost can't put that into words."
Ankiel hits HR in return -- Newsday.com
Ankiel hits HR in return
August 10, 2007
E-mail Print Single page view Reprints Reader feedback text size: ST. LOUIS - This was such a terrific storyline, even the opponents appreciated it. "It's quite a show of athleticism and quite a show of being a baseball player. It's a great story," Padres manager Bud Black said after failed pitcher Rick Ankiel hit a three-run homer to cap his debut as a major-league outfielder in the Cardinals' 5-0 victory last night.
Ankiel, who led the Pacific Coast League with 32 homers for Triple-A Memphis, launched a 2-and-1 pitch from Doug Brocail over the rightfield wall in the seventh with an effortless swing that put the Cardinals ahead 5-0.
"I pitched the report," Brocail said. "I have no idea how he hit that ball. It's good to see the kid back, though. You know, he wasn't too bad of a pitcher."
The drive merited a standing ovation and a curtain call for the once-promising lefthander, who quit pitching in spring training 2005 because of extreme wildness and began the long climb back up the ladder as a 26-year-old minor-league outfielder.
"Short of winning the World Series, it's the happiest I've seen our club," said Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, who was misty-eyed. "I'm fighting my butt off to keep it together."
The homer was the third of Ankiel's career. "Unbelievable," he said. "You almost can't put that into words."
Ankiel hits HR in return -- Newsday.com
.....not much us said about him, but Edmunds is not too far in the A**hole status of a Barry Bonds.
