Rick Ankiel
Encyclopedia
Richard Alexander Ankiel (ˈæŋkiːl; born July 19, 1979) is a Major League Baseball
outfielder
who is currently with the Washington Nationals
. He bats and throws left-handed.
Ankiel was a pitcher with the St. Louis Cardinals
from 1999 until 2001, when he lost his ability to throw strikes consistently. After trying to regain his pitching form in the minor leagues, he switched to the outfield in early 2005. For two and a half years, he honed his skills as a hitter and fielder in the Cardinals' minor-league system. He was called up to the Cardinals on August 9, 2007, and made his second major-league "debut"—this time as an outfielder in right field—against the San Diego Padres in St. Louis. As a Cardinal (1999–2009), Ankiel hit 47 home runs as an outfielder and two as a pitcher. After a 2009 season in which he hit
.231 with 11 home runs in 122 games, Ankiel became a free agent. Subsequently, he was signed by the Royals and later was traded to the Atlanta Braves. He is the first player since Babe Ruth
to have won at least 10 games as a pitcher and also hit at least 50 home runs. Ankiel is also the only player other than Babe Ruth to both start a postseason game as a pitcher and hit a home run in the postseason as a position player.
in Florida, where he went 11–1 with a 0.47 ERA
during his senior season, striking out 162 batters in 74.0 innings pitched, and was named the High School Player of the Year
by USA Today in . He was also a first-team high-school All-American pitcher.
Ankiel signed with the Cardinals out of high school for a $2.5 million signing bonus, the fifth-highest ever given to an amateur player. In 1998, he was voted the best pitching prospect in both the Carolina and Midwest leagues, and was the Carolina League
's All-Star starting pitcher, Baseball America
s first-team Minor League All-Star starting pitcher, and the Cardinals' Minor League Player of the Year. That year he led all minor league pitchers in strikeouts, with 222.
In 1999, he was named the Minor League Player of the Year by both Baseball America
and USA Today
. He was also Texas League
All-Star pitcher, Double-A All-Star starting pitcher, Cardinals Minor League Player of the Year, and Baseball America 1st team Minor League All-Star starting pitcher.
, against the Expos
. He pitched his first full season in at the age of 20 (second youngest in the league), posting an 11–7 record, a 3.50 ERA
(tenth in the league), and 194 strikeout
s (seventh in the league) in 30 games started. Ankiel threw a 94- to 97-mph fastball
, a heavy sinker
, and a fall-off-the-table curveball
that was his main strikeout pitch. He struck out batters at a rate of 9.98 strikeouts per nine innings (second in the National League
only to Randy Johnson
), and allowed only 7.05 hits
per nine innings (second only to Chan Ho Park). He came in second (to the Atlanta Braves
' Rafael Furcal
) in the NL Rookie of the Year voting. He received The Sporting News Rookie Pitcher of the Year Award
.
won the National League Central
Division championship in 2000
. Injuries to other pitchers left Ankiel and Darryl Kile
as the only fully healthy starters left on the Cardinals roster. Tony La Russa
chose Ankiel to start Game 1 of the National League Division Series
against veteran pitcher Greg Maddux
of the Atlanta Braves
. To shield Ankiel from media pressure, La Russa had Kile answer questions to the media as if he were starting Game 1, and afterwards informed the media that Ankiel was starting.
In Game 1, Ankiel did not allow a run through the first two innings. Ankiel's performance deteriorated in the third inning; he allowed 4 runs on 2 hits, 4 walks and throwing 5 wild pitch
es before being removed with two outs. The play-by-play of that inning is as follows:
Ankiel's line for that inning: 8 batters faced, 35 pitches, 4 earned runs, 2 hits, 4 walks
, 5 wild pitch
es. The Cardinals won the game 7-5, with James picking up the win.
Ankiel shrugged off the event, joking that he was the first pitcher to throw five wild pitches in an inning since Bert Cunningham
of the Players League
in 1890
.
In his next start, in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series
against the New York Mets
, Ankiel was removed in the first inning after throwing 20 pitches, five of which went past catcher Eli Marrero
(only two were official wild pitches, as no runners were on base for the others), and the first of which sailed over the head of Mets' hitter Timo Perez
. Ankiel appeared again in the seventh inning of Game 5 facing four hitters, walking two, and throwing two more wild pitches. The Cardinals lost the series four games to one to the Mets.
The source of Ankiel's problems were unknown, and his loss of control has been compared to that of Steve Blass
, who also became unable to consistently throw strikes for unknown reasons. A section of a book about Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa, Three Nights in August, details Ankiel's rise to the big leagues and loss of control as a pitcher in 2000-01. LaRussa has stated that putting Ankiel into Game 1 of the 2000 NLDS was "a decision that perhaps haunts him more than any he has ever made."
Ankiel returned to the majors in but again had issues controlling his pitches, walking 25 batters and throwing five wild pitches in 24 innings, and was sent down to AAA. Here his problems became dramatic. In 4.1 innings, Ankiel walked 17 batters and threw 12 wild pitches, accumulating an ERA of 20.77. He was sent all the way down to the Rookie League Johnson City Cardinals
, where he was successful as both a starting pitcher and a part-time designated hitter
(sporting a .638 slugging percentage with 10 home runs and 35 RBIs in 105 at bats). He was voted Rookie Level Player of the Year, Appalachian League
All-Star left-handed pitcher, Rookie League All-Star starting pitcher, Appalachian League Pitcher of the Year, and Appalachian League All-Star designated hitter.
In , Ankiel sat out the season with a left elbow sprain, and was not cleared to throw until December. He returned to the minors in , posting a 6.29 ERA
in 10 starts before undergoing season-ending ulnar collateral ligament
reconstruction (Tommy John
surgery
) for his left elbow in July. In 54.1 innings, he walked 49 batters and threw 10 wild pitches.
Ankiel returned to the majors in September , posting a 5.40 ERA
in five relief appearances. Ankiel's control problems appeared to be gone, as he walked just one while striking out nine in ten innings. In the minors, he walked only two batters in 23.2 innings, while striking out 23. However, on March 9, 2005, after a successful winter pitching in the Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League
, Ankiel announced that he was switching to the outfield, after a spring training game in which he threw only three strikes out of 20 pitches. He slugged .514 in single A, and .515 in double A, with 5 outfield assists in 55 games.
as he continued his conversion from pitching. "It isn't because he isn't capable," he said. "(But) unless you can guarantee that he would get 400 or 500 at-bats, it would be a bad move for him and for us."
On Memorial Day
May 28, 2007, Ankiel hit two home runs in Round Rock, Texas
against the Round Rock Express
. He also hit an RBI double and made an over-the-shoulder catch in deep center field
that saved two runs. Ankiel was named a starting outfielder for the 2007 Triple-A All-Star Game
. Through August 8, he had 32 home runs, 89 RBIs and was hitting .267, including a three-home run performance on June 16 at Iowa. He was the home run leader in the Pacific Coast League
, and tied for second in RBIs at the time of his callup. Defensively, Ankiel had seven errors in 95 games.
.jpg)
Memphis Redbirds
after a roster spot was vacated by Scott Spiezio
's departure. Ankiel batted second and played right field. In his first at bat, he received a prolonged standing ovation
from the St. Louis crowd. During the seventh inning, he hit a three-run home run
off Doug Brocail
to right field to help the Cardinals defeat the San Diego Padres
, 5–0. It was his first home run in the majors since April 2000 (as a pitcher), and made him the first player since Clint Hartung
(1947)
to hit his first major league home run as a pitcher and then hit a home run as a position player. The player before Hartung who accomplished this was Babe Ruth
. After the game, manager Tony La Russa said that his only happier moment as a Cardinal was when they won the 2006 World Series
. Two days later, against the Dodgers
on August 11, Ankiel drew three standing ovations. He had three hits, including two home run
s and three RBIs and made a spectacular catch in right field.
Ankiel's comeback prompted syndicated columnist Charles Krauthammer
to write on August 17, 2007: "His return after seven years—if only three days long—is the stuff of legend. Made even more perfect by the timing: Just two days after Barry Bonds
sets a synthetic home run record in San Francisco, the Natural
returns to St. Louis."'
Ankiel hit his first grand slam
at St. Louis against left-hander Eddie Guardado
of the Cincinnati Reds
on August 31 with the team trailing 4–3, for a 8–5 win that broke a tie with Red Schoendienst
for LaRussa for most wins by a Cardinals manager. In a home game against the Pittsburgh Pirates
on September 6, he recorded his second two-home run game of the season with a 3-for-4, 7 RBI effort, along with an over-the-shoulder catch in deep right field. He had two curtain calls in this game. On September 23, Ankiel had his first walk-off hit, a two-run triple to win the last Sunday Night Baseball
game of the season against the Astros
4–3.
One negative factor in Ankiel's performance was his strikeout rate
; he struck out 41 times in just 172 at-bats in 2007. He finished the year with a .285 batting average, 11 home runs, 39 RBIs, a .328 on-base percentage, .535 slugging percentage and an .863 OPS
in 47 games, and 172 at-bats. The Cardinals, who had won division titles from 2004–2006 and the 2006 World Series, finished 2007 with a 78–84 record and missed the playoffs.
Following the 2007 season, Ankiel admitted to using HGH, but said he was following doctor's orders.
HGH was not banned by Major League Baseball until 2005. Major League Baseball
concluded that there was insufficient evidence of any wrongdoing by Ankiel.
on May 6 by recording two outfield assists and a home run to propel St. Louis to a 6 to 5 victory. Ankiel, on both assists, threw the ball from deep center field to Troy Glaus
at third. He finished 2008 with a .264 batting average
, 25 home run
s, and 71 runs batted in.
, and Ankiel was placed on the disabled list
on May 7. He was re-activated on May 24 against the Kansas City Royals
. Ankiel finished the season with 11 home runs, 38 RBI, and a .231 batting average.
. Ankiel began the season as the Royals' starting center fielder, but was placed on the disabled list in early May with a strained right quadriceps after playing sparingly from April 24 on. He was re-activated on July 23, and replaced an injured David DeJesus
midway through the game in center field. On July 31, Ankiel and reliever Kyle Farnsworth
were traded to the Atlanta Braves for Jesse Chavez
, Gregor Blanco
, and Tim Collins
On October 8, in the second game of the 2010 National League Division Series
against the San Francisco Giants
, Ankiel hit his first career postseason home run into McCovey Cove
off Giants reliever Ramón Ramírez in the top of the 11th inning, leading the Braves to a 5-4 win. Rick joined the all-time career home run leader Barry Bonds
as the only two players to hit a ball into the cove in the postseason. Speaking on television after the game, Ankiel called the home run “the pinnacle of anything I’ve ever done."
On November 2, 2010, the Braves declined Ankiel's club option, making him a free agent.
On December 20, 2010, the Washington Nationals announced they had signed Ankiel to a one year, $1.5 million contract.
On Monday, May 23, 2011, Ankiel made his debut with the Harrisburg Senators (AA) of the Eastern League as part of an injury rehabilitation assignment.
, Florida
. He makes his off-season home in Jupiter, Florida
, with wife, Lory.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
who is currently with the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
. He bats and throws left-handed.
Ankiel was a pitcher with the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
from 1999 until 2001, when he lost his ability to throw strikes consistently. After trying to regain his pitching form in the minor leagues, he switched to the outfield in early 2005. For two and a half years, he honed his skills as a hitter and fielder in the Cardinals' minor-league system. He was called up to the Cardinals on August 9, 2007, and made his second major-league "debut"—this time as an outfielder in right field—against the San Diego Padres in St. Louis. As a Cardinal (1999–2009), Ankiel hit 47 home runs as an outfielder and two as a pitcher. After a 2009 season in which he hit
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.231 with 11 home runs in 122 games, Ankiel became a free agent. Subsequently, he was signed by the Royals and later was traded to the Atlanta Braves. He is the first player since Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
to have won at least 10 games as a pitcher and also hit at least 50 home runs. Ankiel is also the only player other than Babe Ruth to both start a postseason game as a pitcher and hit a home run in the postseason as a position player.
Early career
Rick attended Port St. Lucie High SchoolPort St. Lucie High School
Port St. Lucie High School, nicknamed "P.S.L.H.S", is the city of Port St. Lucie's first high school within its boundaries. It is located in the southeast area of St. Lucie County and is open to students only in that area...
in Florida, where he went 11–1 with a 0.47 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
during his senior season, striking out 162 batters in 74.0 innings pitched, and was named the High School Player of the Year
USA Today All-USA high school baseball team
Each year, USA Today, an American newspaper, awards outstanding high-school baseball players with a place on its All-USA High School Baseball Team. The newspaper names athletes whom they believe to be the best baseball players from high schools across the United States...
by USA Today in . He was also a first-team high-school All-American pitcher.
Ankiel signed with the Cardinals out of high school for a $2.5 million signing bonus, the fifth-highest ever given to an amateur player. In 1998, he was voted the best pitching prospect in both the Carolina and Midwest leagues, and was the Carolina League
Carolina League
The Carolina League is a minor league baseball affiliation which operates in the South Atlantic Coast of the United States. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
's All-Star starting pitcher, Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
s first-team Minor League All-Star starting pitcher, and the Cardinals' Minor League Player of the Year. That year he led all minor league pitchers in strikeouts, with 222.
In 1999, he was named the Minor League Player of the Year by both Baseball America
Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year Award
Listed below in chronological order are the Minor League Baseball players chosen by Baseball America as recipients of the Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year Award...
and USA Today
USA Today Minor League Player of the Year Award
Listed below in chronological order are the Minor League Baseball players chosen by USA Today as recipients of the USA Today Minor League Player of the Year Award...
. He was also Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
All-Star pitcher, Double-A All-Star starting pitcher, Cardinals Minor League Player of the Year, and Baseball America 1st team Minor League All-Star starting pitcher.
1999 and 2000 seasons
Ankiel debuted in in MontrealOlympic Stadium (Montreal)
The Olympic Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve district of Montreal, Quebec, Canada built as the main venue for the 1976 Summer Olympics...
, against the Expos
1999 Montreal Expos season
-Offseason:Future Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams was taken by the Montreal Expos in the 1998 Rule V Draft. The Expos sold his rights to the Texas Rangers.-Opening Day starters:* Shane Andrews* Miguel Batista* Orlando Cabrera* Brad Fullmer...
. He pitched his first full season in at the age of 20 (second youngest in the league), posting an 11–7 record, a 3.50 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
(tenth in the league), and 194 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s (seventh in the league) in 30 games started. Ankiel threw a 94- to 97-mph fastball
Fastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. Some "power pitchers," such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, have thrown it at speeds of 95–106 mph and up to 108.1 mph , relying purely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit...
, a heavy sinker
Sinker (baseball)
In baseball, a sinker , is a type of fastball pitch which has significant downward and horizontal movement. The sinker is known for inducing a lot of ground balls...
, and a fall-off-the-table curveball
Curveball
The curveball is a type of pitch in baseball thrown with a characteristic grip and hand movement that imparts forward spin to the ball causing it to dive in a downward path as it approaches the plate. Its close relatives are the slider and the slurve. The "curve" of the ball varies from pitcher to...
that was his main strikeout pitch. He struck out batters at a rate of 9.98 strikeouts per nine innings (second in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
only to Randy Johnson
Randy Johnson
Randall David Johnson , nicknamed "The Big Unit", is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. During a 22-year career, he pitched for six different teams....
), and allowed only 7.05 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
per nine innings (second only to Chan Ho Park). He came in second (to the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
' Rafael Furcal
Rafael Furcal
Rafael Antonio Furcal , is a Major League Baseball shortstop who is currently a free agent.-Early career:...
) in the NL Rookie of the Year voting. He received The Sporting News Rookie Pitcher of the Year Award
The Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award
The Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award was established in 1946 by The Sporting News .*In 1947-48, and again in 1950, a single award was given for all of Major League Baseball....
.
Downfall as a pitcher
The Cardinals2000 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals 2000 season was the team's 119th season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 109th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 95-67 during the season and won the National League Central division by ten games over the Cincinnati Reds...
won the National League Central
National League Central
The National League Central Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. This division was created in 1994, by moving two teams from the Western Division and three teams from the Eastern Division of the National League...
Division championship in 2000
2000 Major League Baseball season
The 2000 Major League Baseball season ended with the New York Yankees defeating the New York Mets in Game 5 of the World Series, known as the Subway Series because fans could take the Subway to and from every game of the Series. An all-time record 5,693 home runs were hit during the regular season...
. Injuries to other pitchers left Ankiel and Darryl Kile
Darryl Kile
Darryl Andrew Kile was an American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He pitched from 1991-2002 for three different teams in his career. In his first season for the Cardinals, he won 20 games in 2000 as the team reached the postseason for the first time in four years. They advanced to the...
as the only fully healthy starters left on the Cardinals roster. Tony La Russa
Tony La Russa
Anthony "Tony" La Russa, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball manager and infielder, best known for his tenures as manager of the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, and St. Louis Cardinals...
chose Ankiel to start Game 1 of the National League Division Series
2000 National League Division Series
-St. Louis Cardinals vs. Atlanta Braves:-Game 1, October 4:Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco, CaliforniaGiants Pitcher Liván Hernández allowed one run and five hits over a inning effort, backed by a three-run home run by Ellis Burks as the Giants cruised to an easy 5–1 victory.-Game 2, October...
against veteran pitcher Greg Maddux
Greg Maddux
Gregory Alan Maddux , nicknamed "Mad Dog" and "The Professor", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He was the first pitcher in major league history to win the Cy Young Award for four consecutive years , a feat matched only by Randy Johnson...
of the Atlanta Braves
2000 Atlanta Braves season
The 2000 season would mark the first time since 1990 that the Braves did not appear in the National League Championship Series. One of the highlights of the season was that the All-Star Game was held at Turner Field in Atlanta.-Offseason:...
. To shield Ankiel from media pressure, La Russa had Kile answer questions to the media as if he were starting Game 1, and afterwards informed the media that Ankiel was starting.
In Game 1, Ankiel did not allow a run through the first two innings. Ankiel's performance deteriorated in the third inning; he allowed 4 runs on 2 hits, 4 walks and throwing 5 wild pitch
Wild pitch
In baseball, a wild pitch is charged against a pitcher when his pitch is too high, too short, or too wide of home plate for the catcher to control with ordinary effort, thereby allowing a baserunner, perhaps even the batter-runner on strike three or ball four, to advance.A wild pitch usually...
es before being removed with two outs. The play-by-play of that inning is as follows:
- Greg MadduxGreg MadduxGregory Alan Maddux , nicknamed "Mad Dog" and "The Professor", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He was the first pitcher in major league history to win the Cy Young Award for four consecutive years , a feat matched only by Randy Johnson...
walks on four pitches. - Rafael FurcalRafael FurcalRafael Antonio Furcal , is a Major League Baseball shortstop who is currently a free agent.-Early career:...
fouls out to first baseman Will ClarkWill ClarkWilliam Nuschler Clark, Jr. is a former first baseman in Major League Baseball best known for his years with the San Francisco Giants from to .Will was known by the nickname of "Will the Thrill"...
. - Andruw JonesAndruw JonesAndruw Rudolf Jones is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is a free agent.Jones made his debut during the 1996 season. In the 1996 World Series, Jones became the youngest player to ever homered in the postseason...
at bat: two wild pitches (on 0-1 and 2-1) advance Maddux to second and then third. A. Jones walks on five pitches. - Chipper JonesChipper JonesLarry Wayne "Chipper" Jones, Jr. is a Major League baseball player for the National League's Atlanta Braves. Although initially a shortstop, he has spent most of his career as the starting third baseman for the Braves...
at bat: a third wild pitch (on 2-2) advances A. Jones to second. C. Jones strikes out looking. - Andrés GalarragaAndrés GalarragaAndrés José Padovani Galarraga is a former Major League Baseball first baseman who played for the Montreal Expos , St. Louis Cardinals , Colorado Rockies , Atlanta Braves , Texas Rangers , San Francisco Giants and Anaheim Angels...
walks on a full count. Ball four is the fourth wild pitch of the inning, scoring Maddux and advancing A. Jones to third. - Brian JordanBrian JordanBrian O'Neal Jordan is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder and National Football League safety. In the NFL, he played for the Atlanta Falcons, while he played in the MLB for the St...
singled to center. A. Jones scores, Galarraga to second. - Reggie SandersReggie SandersReginald Laverne Sanders is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed. Sanders was 24 years old when he made his major league debut on August 22, , after being selected in the 7th round of the amateur draft by the Cincinnati Reds...
at bat: a fifth wild pitch (on 1-1) advances Galarraga to third and Jordan to second. Sanders walks on five pitches. - Walt WeissWalt WeissWalter William Weiss is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball.Weiss was a member of the National League All-Star Team...
singled to center. Galarraga and Jones score. On the throw home by Ray LankfordRay LankfordRaymond Lewis Lankford and grew up in Modesto, California where he attended Grace M. Davis High School. Ray was a former center fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres from to . He was known for his combination of power, speed, and defensive...
, Sanders to second. - Mike JamesMike James (baseball)Michael Elmo James is a retired professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1995-2002.-External links:...
pitching. Javy LópezJavy LópezJavier López Torres is a former catcher in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Atlanta Braves , Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox . He batted and threw right-handed...
popped out to second baseman Fernando ViñaFernando ViñaFernando Viña is a retired Cuban-American Major League Baseball second baseman and current MLB analyst for Oakland Athletics...
.
Ankiel's line for that inning: 8 batters faced, 35 pitches, 4 earned runs, 2 hits, 4 walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
, 5 wild pitch
Wild pitch
In baseball, a wild pitch is charged against a pitcher when his pitch is too high, too short, or too wide of home plate for the catcher to control with ordinary effort, thereby allowing a baserunner, perhaps even the batter-runner on strike three or ball four, to advance.A wild pitch usually...
es. The Cardinals won the game 7-5, with James picking up the win.
Ankiel shrugged off the event, joking that he was the first pitcher to throw five wild pitches in an inning since Bert Cunningham
Bert Cunningham
Ellsworth Elmer "Bert" Cunningham , is a former professional baseball player who played pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1887-1901...
of the Players League
Players League
The Players' National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs, popularly known as the Players' League , was a short-lived but star-studded professional American baseball league of the 19th century...
in 1890
1890 in baseball
-Champions:*World Series: Brooklyn Bridegrooms 3, Louisville Colonels 3, 1 tie*National League: Brooklyn Bridegrooms*American Association: Louisville Colonels*Players' League: Boston RedsInter-league playoff: Brooklyn declined challenge by Boston...
.
In his next start, in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series
2000 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 11, 2000 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MissouriThe Mets jumped on Cardinals starter Darryl Kile right from the outset. Rookie Timo Pérez led off the game with a double into the right field corner, and following a walk to Edgardo Alfonzo, scored on a double by Mike Piazza...
against the New York Mets
2000 New York Mets season
The New York Mets' 2000 season was the 39th regular season for the Mets. They went 94-68 and finished 2nd in the NL East, but earned the NL Wild Card. They made it to the World Series where they were defeated by their crosstown rival New York Yankees. They were managed by Bobby Valentine...
, Ankiel was removed in the first inning after throwing 20 pitches, five of which went past catcher Eli Marrero
Eli Marrero
Elieser Marrero , is a former Major League Baseball player. Marrero started his career as a catcher, but spent time at first base, third base and in the outfield....
(only two were official wild pitches, as no runners were on base for the others), and the first of which sailed over the head of Mets' hitter Timo Perez
Timo Pérez
Timoniel M. "Timo" Pérez is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently in the Detroit Tigers organization.-Hiroshima Toyo Carp:...
. Ankiel appeared again in the seventh inning of Game 5 facing four hitters, walking two, and throwing two more wild pitches. The Cardinals lost the series four games to one to the Mets.
The source of Ankiel's problems were unknown, and his loss of control has been compared to that of Steve Blass
Steve Blass
Stephen Robert "Steve" Blass is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher and a current broadcast announcer for the Pittsburgh Pirates.-Playing career:Blass was born in Canaan, Connecticut...
, who also became unable to consistently throw strikes for unknown reasons. A section of a book about Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa, Three Nights in August, details Ankiel's rise to the big leagues and loss of control as a pitcher in 2000-01. LaRussa has stated that putting Ankiel into Game 1 of the 2000 NLDS was "a decision that perhaps haunts him more than any he has ever made."
Aftermath
Johnson City Cardinals
The Johnson City Cardinals are a rookie league team based in Johnson City, Tennessee. The Cardinals are affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals organization and play with the Appalachian League, of which they are currently the two-time defending champions. The team plays its home games at Howard...
, where he was successful as both a starting pitcher and a part-time designated hitter
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
(sporting a .638 slugging percentage with 10 home runs and 35 RBIs in 105 at bats). He was voted Rookie Level Player of the Year, Appalachian League
Appalachian League
The Appalachian League is a Rookie-class minor league that began play in 1937 with one year of inactivity in 1956. From 1937 to 1962, it was a Class D League. Teams are located in the Appalachian regions of Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia and Tennessee...
All-Star left-handed pitcher, Rookie League All-Star starting pitcher, Appalachian League Pitcher of the Year, and Appalachian League All-Star designated hitter.
In , Ankiel sat out the season with a left elbow sprain, and was not cleared to throw until December. He returned to the minors in , posting a 6.29 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
in 10 starts before undergoing season-ending ulnar collateral ligament
Ulnar collateral ligament (elbow)
The ulnar collateral ligament is a thick triangular band consisting of two portions, an anterior and posterior united by a thinner intermediate portion....
reconstruction (Tommy John
Tommy John
Thomas Edward John Jr. is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball whose 288 career victories rank as the seventh highest total among left-handers in major league history...
surgery
Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery, known in medical practice as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body...
) for his left elbow in July. In 54.1 innings, he walked 49 batters and threw 10 wild pitches.
Ankiel returned to the majors in September , posting a 5.40 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
in five relief appearances. Ankiel's control problems appeared to be gone, as he walked just one while striking out nine in ten innings. In the minors, he walked only two batters in 23.2 innings, while striking out 23. However, on March 9, 2005, after a successful winter pitching in the Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League
Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League
The Puerto Rico Baseball League formerly known as Liga de Béisbol Profesional de Puerto Rico or LBPPR, is the main professional baseball league in Puerto Rico. In 2007, the LBPPR recessed for the first time since its creation...
, Ankiel announced that he was switching to the outfield, after a spring training game in which he threw only three strikes out of 20 pitches. He slugged .514 in single A, and .515 in double A, with 5 outfield assists in 55 games.
2006 season
In , Ankiel was invited to spring training with the major league squad as an outfielder, with a slim chance to make the team as a reserve player. His fielding impressed scouts and managers, and he had shown flashes of power hitting in the minor leagues. However, he injured his left knee before the season started, and had season-ending surgery on May 26.2007 season
Ankiel was invited to the Cardinals' spring training. In mid-March, manager LaRussa said Ankiel did not figure into the mix at the big-league level and needed to play regularly at Class AAA MemphisMemphis Redbirds
The Memphis Redbirds are the Triple-A minor league baseball affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. They play their home games at AutoZone Park in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. The stadium's capacity is 14,320. They entered the Pacific Coast League as an expansion team in 1998, and were owned as a...
as he continued his conversion from pitching. "It isn't because he isn't capable," he said. "(But) unless you can guarantee that he would get 400 or 500 at-bats, it would be a bad move for him and for us."
On Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
May 28, 2007, Ankiel hit two home runs in Round Rock, Texas
Round Rock, Texas
Round Rock is a city in Travis and Williamson counties in the U.S. state of Texas. It is part of the metropolitan area. The 2010 census places the population at 99,887....
against the Round Rock Express
Round Rock Express
The Round Rock Express is a class Triple-A Pacific Coast League minor league baseball team in Round Rock, Texas, owned by RSR Sports and founded by Reid Ryan, son of Baseball Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan. The team is affiliated with the Texas Rangers, for whom Nolan Ryan serves as the president and...
. He also hit an RBI double and made an over-the-shoulder catch in deep center field
Center fielder
A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball fielding position between left field and right field...
that saved two runs. Ankiel was named a starting outfielder for the 2007 Triple-A All-Star Game
Triple-A All-Star Game
The Triple-A All-Star Game is a single baseball game held between the two Triple-A leagues in minor league baseball—the International League and the Pacific Coast League...
. Through August 8, he had 32 home runs, 89 RBIs and was hitting .267, including a three-home run performance on June 16 at Iowa. He was the home run leader in the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
, and tied for second in RBIs at the time of his callup. Defensively, Ankiel had seven errors in 95 games.
Return to the majors
On August 9, 2007, the Cardinals promoted Ankiel from the AAAAAA (baseball)
Triple-A refers to the highest level of play in minor league baseball in the United States and Mexico.-Purpose:Triple-A teams' main purpose is to prepare players for the Major Leagues:...
Memphis Redbirds
Memphis Redbirds
The Memphis Redbirds are the Triple-A minor league baseball affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. They play their home games at AutoZone Park in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. The stadium's capacity is 14,320. They entered the Pacific Coast League as an expansion team in 1998, and were owned as a...
after a roster spot was vacated by Scott Spiezio
Scott Spiezio
Scott Edward Spiezio is a former Major League Baseball infielder. He is currently an infielder for the Newark Bears of the independent Atlantic League . He is well known for his time as a member of the Anaheim Angels, when he hit a 3-run home run in Game Six of the 2002 World Series against the...
's departure. Ankiel batted second and played right field. In his first at bat, he received a prolonged standing ovation
Standing ovation
A standing ovation is a form of applause where members of a seated audience stand up while applauding after extraordinary performances of particularly high acclaim...
from the St. Louis crowd. During the seventh inning, he hit a three-run home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
off Doug Brocail
Doug Brocail
Douglas Keith Brocail is a former American Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently the interim pitching coach for the Houston Astros.-High school years:...
to right field to help the Cardinals defeat the San Diego Padres
2007 San Diego Padres season
The San Diego Padres' 2007 season began with the Padres' attempt to win a 3rd consecutive NL West title. After finishing 162 games in a tie with the Colorado Rockies for both the NL Wild Card and second place in the NL West, they were defeated in a tie-breaker which placed them third overall in...
, 5–0. It was his first home run in the majors since April 2000 (as a pitcher), and made him the first player since Clint Hartung
Clint Hartung
Clinton Clarence Hartung was a right-handed pitcher and right fielder in Major League Baseball who played with the New York Giants from 1947 to 1952. His name has become associated with promising rookies who have undistinguished careers...
(1947)
1947 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Brooklyn Dodgers *All-Star Game, July 8 at Wrigley Field: American League, 2-1-Other champions:*First College World Series: California...
to hit his first major league home run as a pitcher and then hit a home run as a position player. The player before Hartung who accomplished this was Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
. After the game, manager Tony La Russa said that his only happier moment as a Cardinal was when they won the 2006 World Series
2006 World Series
The 2006 World Series, the 102nd edition of Major League Baseball's championship series, began on October 21 and ended on October 27, and matched the American League champion Detroit Tigers against the National League champion St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals won the Series in five games, taking...
. Two days later, against the Dodgers
2007 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The Los Angeles Dodgers' 2007 season started off promisingly with the Dodgers holding the Western Division lead for most of the first half of the season. However, the team faded down the stretch and finished the season in fourth place. Two of the teams big free agent signings, pitchers Jason...
on August 11, Ankiel drew three standing ovations. He had three hits, including two home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and three RBIs and made a spectacular catch in right field.
Ankiel's comeback prompted syndicated columnist Charles Krauthammer
Charles Krauthammer
Charles Krauthammer, MD is an American Pulitzer Prize–winning syndicated columnist, political commentator, and physician. His weekly column appears in The Washington Post and is syndicated to more than 275 newspapers and media outlets. He is a contributing editor to the Weekly Standard and The New...
to write on August 17, 2007: "His return after seven years—if only three days long—is the stuff of legend. Made even more perfect by the timing: Just two days after Barry Bonds
Barry Bonds
Barry Lamar Bonds is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. Bonds played from 1986 to 2007, for the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants. He is the son of former major league All-Star Bobby Bonds...
sets a synthetic home run record in San Francisco, the Natural
The Natural
The Natural is a 1952 novel about baseball written by Bernard Malamud. The book follows Roy Hobbs, a baseball prodigy whose career is sidetracked when he is shot by a woman who seeks to kill arrogant athletes to "better the world"...
returns to St. Louis."'
Ankiel hit his first grand slam
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
at St. Louis against left-hander Eddie Guardado
Eddie Guardado
Edward Adrian Guardado is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Throughout his career, Guardado had played with the Minnesota Twins , Seattle Mariners , Cincinnati Reds , and the Rangers .His common nickname is "Everyday Eddie", a testament to his durable arm during his first stint with the...
of the Cincinnati Reds
2007 Cincinnati Reds season
The Cincinnati Reds' 2007 season has been completed, and the Cincinnati Reds finished out of playoff contention.Following an 11-7 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on July 1, general manager Wayne Krivsky fired manager Jerry Narron and named advance scout Pete Mackanin interim manager...
on August 31 with the team trailing 4–3, for a 8–5 win that broke a tie with Red Schoendienst
Red Schoendienst
Albert Fred "Red" Schoendienst is an American Major League Baseball coach, former player and manager, and 10-time All-star. After a 19-year playing career with the St...
for LaRussa for most wins by a Cardinals manager. In a home game against the Pittsburgh Pirates
2007 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The Pittsburgh Pirates' 2007 season marked the 126th season of baseball in Pittsburgh.- Overview :The Pirates began 2007 with a new majority owner, Robert Nutting, and the dreary fact that they could surpass the Philadelphia Phillies as owners of the longest consecutive losing seasons record in...
on September 6, he recorded his second two-home run game of the season with a 3-for-4, 7 RBI effort, along with an over-the-shoulder catch in deep right field. He had two curtain calls in this game. On September 23, Ankiel had his first walk-off hit, a two-run triple to win the last Sunday Night Baseball
Sunday Night Baseball
Sunday Night Baseball is the Major League Baseball exclusive game of the week that is televised Sunday nights at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN during the regular season...
game of the season against the Astros
2007 Houston Astros season
The Houston Astros' 2007 season began with the team trying to take the NL Central title back from the World Series winners, the St. Louis Cardinals, after the Cardinals won it in 2006...
4–3.
One negative factor in Ankiel's performance was his strikeout rate
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
; he struck out 41 times in just 172 at-bats in 2007. He finished the year with a .285 batting average, 11 home runs, 39 RBIs, a .328 on-base percentage, .535 slugging percentage and an .863 OPS
On-base plus slugging
On-base plus slugging is a sabermetric baseball statistic calculated as the sum of a player's on-base percentage and slugging percentage. The ability of a player to both get on base and to hit for power, two important hitting skills, are represented. An OPS of .900 or higher in Major League...
in 47 games, and 172 at-bats. The Cardinals, who had won division titles from 2004–2006 and the 2006 World Series, finished 2007 with a 78–84 record and missed the playoffs.
Following the 2007 season, Ankiel admitted to using HGH, but said he was following doctor's orders.
HGH was not banned by Major League Baseball until 2005. Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
concluded that there was insufficient evidence of any wrongdoing by Ankiel.
2008 season
Ankiel helped the Cardinals defeat the Colorado Rockies2008 Colorado Rockies season
The Colorado Rockies' 2008 season was the team's 16th season overall. The Rockies attempted to repeat their previous season's success after making it to the World Series; however, they ended up finishing third place in the National League West with a record of 74-88. The Rockies drew 2,650,218...
on May 6 by recording two outfield assists and a home run to propel St. Louis to a 6 to 5 victory. Ankiel, on both assists, threw the ball from deep center field to Troy Glaus
Troy Glaus
Troy Edward Glaus is a Major League Baseball first baseman and third baseman who is currently a free agent. Previously, Glaus played with the Anaheim Angels , Arizona Diamondbacks , Toronto Blue Jays , St. Louis Cardinals , and the Atlanta Braves . Glaus lettered in baseball while attending UCLA...
at third. He finished 2008 with a .264 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
, 25 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s, and 71 runs batted in.
2009 season
During a May 4 game against the Phillies, Ankiel collided with the outfield wall, and was carted off the field. The injury was reported as whiplashWhiplash (medicine)
Whiplash is a non-medical term describing a range of injuries to the neck caused by or related to a sudden distortion of the neck associated with extension. The term "whiplash" is a colloquialism...
, and Ankiel was placed on the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
on May 7. He was re-activated on May 24 against the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
. Ankiel finished the season with 11 home runs, 38 RBI, and a .231 batting average.
2010 season
In January 2010, Ankiel signed a one-year, $3.25 million contract with the Kansas City RoyalsKansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
. Ankiel began the season as the Royals' starting center fielder, but was placed on the disabled list in early May with a strained right quadriceps after playing sparingly from April 24 on. He was re-activated on July 23, and replaced an injured David DeJesus
David DeJesus
David Christopher DeJesus is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball.-Career:DeJesus was raised in Manalapan Township, New Jersey, and played high school baseball at Manalapan High School. He was drafted out of high school by the New York Mets in...
midway through the game in center field. On July 31, Ankiel and reliever Kyle Farnsworth
Kyle Farnsworth
Kyle Lynn Farnsworth is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently the closer for the Tampa Bay Rays.-High school and college:...
were traded to the Atlanta Braves for Jesse Chavez
Jesse Chavez
Jesse David Chavez is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed....
, Gregor Blanco
Gregor Blanco
Gregor M. Blanco is a Venezuelan professional baseball outfielder for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball.-Career:...
, and Tim Collins
Tim Collins (baseball)
Timothy "Tim" Collins is an American-born professional baseball player currently playing for the Kansas City Royals.-Amateur career:...
On October 8, in the second game of the 2010 National League Division Series
2010 National League Division Series
The 2010 National League Division Series were two best-of-five game series to determine the participating teams in the 2010 National League Championship Series. The three divisional winners and a fourth team—a "Wild Card"—played in two series from October 6 to 11...
against the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
, Ankiel hit his first career postseason home run into McCovey Cove
McCovey Cove
McCovey Cove is the unofficial name of a section of San Francisco Bay beyond the right field wall of AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants, coined after famed Giants first baseman Willie McCovey. The proper name for the cove is China Basin, which is the mouth of Mission Creek as it meets the...
off Giants reliever Ramón Ramírez in the top of the 11th inning, leading the Braves to a 5-4 win. Rick joined the all-time career home run leader Barry Bonds
Barry Bonds
Barry Lamar Bonds is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. Bonds played from 1986 to 2007, for the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants. He is the son of former major league All-Star Bobby Bonds...
as the only two players to hit a ball into the cove in the postseason. Speaking on television after the game, Ankiel called the home run “the pinnacle of anything I’ve ever done."
On November 2, 2010, the Braves declined Ankiel's club option, making him a free agent.
On December 20, 2010, the Washington Nationals announced they had signed Ankiel to a one year, $1.5 million contract.
On Monday, May 23, 2011, Ankiel made his debut with the Harrisburg Senators (AA) of the Eastern League as part of an injury rehabilitation assignment.
Personal
Ankiel is a native of Fort PierceFort Pierce, Florida
Fort Pierce, also spelled Ft. Pierce, is a city in St. Lucie County, Florida, USA. It is known as The Sunrise City. The population was 37,959 at the 2004 census. As of 2008, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 41,000. It is the county seat of St. Lucie County.Fort Pierce is part...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. He makes his off-season home in Jupiter, Florida
Jupiter, Florida
Jupiter is a town located in Palm Beach County, Florida. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 39,328. The estimate population for 2009 is 50,606. As of 2006, the population had grown to 50,028, according to the University of Florida, Bureau of Economic and Business Research....
, with wife, Lory.
External links
- Ankiel's Official Website
- Baseball Prospectus stats
- Rick Ankiel's page at stlcardinals.scout.com
- "A Mound of Troubles", Pat JordanPat Jordan (author)Pat Jordan is a leading sports writer with his work included in the Best American Sports Writing anthology series seven times. He is also the acclaimed author of A False Spring, a bittersweet memoir about his minor league baseball career, which is ranked #37 on Sports Illustrated's Top 100 Sports...
, The New York Times Magazine, Feb. 11, 2001