National League batters will have one less thing to worry about

cartman · 03-09-2005, 11:04 AM

Cards' Ankiel converting to outfielder

Associated Press

JUPITER, Fla. - Rick Ankiel is ending a pitching career plagued by record wildness and will try to make the St. Louis Cardinals' roster as an outfielder.

Ankiel, 25, had yet to appear in a spring training game as he tried to revive a career interrupted by control problems and injuries. He was to have pitched in a "B" game Wednesday, but it was rained out.

"We are fully supportive of Rick's decision to convert to an everyday outfielder," Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty said. "Rick will continue to train with the major league club this spring, and we look forward to seeing his development as a full-time batter and outfielder."

Ankiel missed most of the 2003 and 2004 seasons after reconstructive elbow surgery, and also sat out the entire 2002 season with a sprained left elbow.

The left-hander was 11-7 with a 3.50 ERA with 194 strikeouts in 175 innings in 2000 but developed record-setting wildness in the playoffs.

In the postseason opener against Atlanta, he became the first major league pitcher since 1890 to throw five wild pitches in one inning and had nine wild pitches in four innings during the postseason.

He went 1-2 with a 7.13 ERA in six starts for the Cardinals in 2001, walking 25 in 24 innings, then was sent to the minors. He didn't return until last Sept. 7 and made five late-season starts, going 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA in 10 innings.

BigJohn&TheLions · 03-09-2005, 11:09 AM

Let's hope Keith Olberman's mother doesn't attend Cardinals games.

Ksyrup · 03-09-2005, 11:09 AM

I read that he was having some wildness issues this spring, but didn't think too much of it. I guess he did, though.

Philliesfan980 · 03-09-2005, 11:37 AM

He'll be a double A player at best.

tategter · 03-09-2005, 11:40 AM

When was the last time a player was both a successful hitter and pitcher in the majors? Babe Ruth?

There have been several players in recent memory to be successful at both in the minors (John Olerud comes to mind), but who in the majors?

flere-imsaho · 03-09-2005, 11:42 AM

Shouldn't the title of this thread be "Cardinals' Catchers will have one less thing to worry about"?

korme · 03-09-2005, 11:50 AM

so much potential thrown down the drain

MikeVic · 03-09-2005, 12:01 PM

I remember when I was in a Baseball Mogul league, and everyone wanted to get this guy because his scouting report made him look like Pedro.

Ksyrup · 03-09-2005, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shorty3281

so much potential thrown down the drain

As long as the drain is nowhere near the plate.

dawgfan · 03-09-2005, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tategter

There have been several players in recent memory to be successful at both in the minors (John Olerud comes to mind), but who in the majors?

Minor clarification - Olerud never played in the minors. He was successful both as a pitcher and hitter in college with Washington State.

WSUCougar · 03-09-2005, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawgfan

Minor clarification - Olerud never played in the minors. He was successful both as a pitcher and hitter in college with Washington State.

Can I get an "Amen" brother dawgfan? AAAAAAAAAAAAmen!

As for Ankiel, what a travesty. This kid was universally recognized as the best pitching prospect at one time. He had electric stuff, had a great rookie season, then came that fateful playoff start. I remember thinking what an odd move it was by LaRussa to go with Ankiel in that situation. And then came The Meltdown. Nuke Laloosh.

What a pity. The Redbirds could well have had the best young hitter (Pujols) AND pitcher (Ankiel) in the game grow old together. Oh well.

ISiddiqui · 03-09-2005, 07:17 PM

I wonder if they'd tried the woman's underwear, breathe-through-your-eyes thing

.

Pumpy Tudors · 03-09-2005, 07:21 PM

I haven't seen Ankiel hit, but isn't it possible that he could become a fairly decent outfielder? Even though I'm a Cardinals fan, I don't know their minor-league system very well. The last time I saw their AAA team play (the Memphis Redbirds came down to play New Orleans), they didn't seem to have any studs in their outfield. I do know that the St. Louis outfield certainly isn't stacked, so isn't there a chance that the Cards could find room for Ankiel in the next year or two? He's still young, and he at least has some hitting skills. I'm not saying that he's going to be an All-Star, but there are a lot of clowns playing outfield in the majors right now, and with the right development, he could certainly be better than many of them.

WSUCougar · 03-09-2005, 07:31 PM

Once he starts putting all of his efforts into hitting and fielding, I think he could be a decent outfielder. I don't think he'll embarrass himself. Major league level? I doubt it, but I'd like to be wrong.

Huckleberry · 03-09-2005, 07:32 PM

cartman -

Why haven't you pointed out Brooks Kieschnick yet? For shame.

dawgfan · 03-09-2005, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WSUCougar

Can I get an "Amen" brother dawgfan? AAAAAAAAAAAAmen!

Olerud was a fantastic player in college. The Cougs haven't really been the same since he and Hatteberg left and Brayton retired as coach. Funny as it may sound, the Huskies have actually been the clearly superior baseball program over the last decade or so.

tategter · 03-10-2005, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawgfan

Minor clarification - Olerud never played in the minors. He was successful both as a pitcher and hitter in college with Washington State.

You're right, my bad.

Ksyrup · 03-10-2005, 11:09 AM

From an ESPN article:

Baseball is full of deceptions. Pitchers try to deceive batters. Managers use misdirection as a matter of strategy.

As once-promising St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Rick Ankiel tries to resurrect his professional career as an outfielder, at least one such move has brought regrets.

Using Darryl Kile as a decoy when he intended to start Ankiel against Atlanta's Greg Maddux in the 2000 National League Division Series was "a big mistake," manager Tony La Russa told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in Thursday's editions.

The deception might have added to the pressure on then-rookie Ankiel, who made it to the majors that season at age 19 and was 11-7 with a 3.50 ERA. He led the team with 194 strikeouts in 175 innings.

After holding the Braves scoreless in the first two innings and being given a 6-0 lead, Ankiel became the first major league pitcher since 1890 to throw five wild pitches in one inning. He faced eight hitters in the inning, retired two and allowed four runs before being lifted. Ankiel finished the postseason with nine wild pitches and 11 walks in four innings.

In 2001, Ankiel went 1-2 with a 7.13 ERA in six starts for the Cardinals, walking 25 in 24 innings, then was sent to the minors. He didn't return until last Sept. 7 and made five late-season starts, going 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA in 10 innings.

On Wednesday, Ankiel announced that he was giving up pitching to try to make the team as an outfielder.

"I don't have any regrets about starting Rick in Game 1," La Russa told the Post-Dispatch. "In my mind, our only chance to win that series was to pitch those two guys [Ankiel and Kile] four games."

What does bother La Russa is that he had Kile appear at the news conference the day before the series. Kile answered questions without indicating he would start Game 2.

La Russa also pointed to the loss of catcher Mike Matheny before that series, who he said might have caught the Ankiel pitches that eluded Carlos Hernandez.

Ankiel, now 25, had not pitched in a spring training game this season. He was to have pitched in a "B" game Wednesday, but it was rained out.

He sat out 2002 with a sprained left elbow and missed most of the 2003 and 2004 seasons after reconstructive elbow surgery.

---------------------------

Uh...I'm all for coming up with some possible explanation, but that one?!?! A bit of a stretch....not as big of a stretch as was needed to catch the wild pitches, but pretty close.

WSUCougar · 03-10-2005, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

Uh...I'm all for coming up with some possible explanation, but that one?!?! A bit of a stretch....not as big of a stretch as was needed to catch the wild pitches, but pretty close.

Gotta agree with ya there. Stretch Armstrong would've had problems snaring those bad boy WPs.

By the way, Stan Musial was originally signed as a pitcher...

lungs · 03-10-2005, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tategter

When was the last time a player was both a successful hitter and pitcher in the majors? Babe Ruth?

There have been several players in recent memory to be successful at both in the minors (John Olerud comes to mind), but who in the majors?

Brooks Kieschnick

cartman · 03-10-2005, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tategter

When was the last time a player was both a successful hitter and pitcher in the majors? Babe Ruth?

There have been several players in recent memory to be successful at both in the minors (John Olerud comes to mind), but who in the majors?

Jose Canseco

CraigSca · 03-10-2005, 12:25 PM

I think the NLDS game where Ankiel melted down would be interesting to watch if ESPN Classic would show it again. Especially the first two innings - was he wild and just got lucky? Or was there an exact point in time where he lost it?

Ksyrup · 03-10-2005, 12:32 PM

That's what is so strange. He pitched two scoreless innings, had a 6-0 lead, and lost it. It would be relatively understandable if he never had it together, but he had it all going his way when the meltdown occurred.

03-09-2005, 11:09 AM	#2
BigJohn&TheLions College Benchwarmer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New York	Let's hope Keith Olberman's mother doesn't attend Cardinals games. __________________ In the immortal words of a great alcoholic, "Can't we all just get along?"

03-09-2005, 11:09 AM	#3
Ksyrup This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off. Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: In Absentia	I read that he was having some wildness issues this spring, but didn't think too much of it. I guess he did, though. __________________ M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete."

03-09-2005, 07:17 PM	#12
ISiddiqui Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Decatur, GA	I wonder if they'd tried the woman's underwear, breathe-through-your-eyes thing . __________________ "A prayer for the wild at heart, kept in cages" -Tennessee Williams

03-09-2005, 07:21 PM	#13
Pumpy Tudors Bounty Hunter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Pittsburgh, PA	I haven't seen Ankiel hit, but isn't it possible that he could become a fairly decent outfielder? Even though I'm a Cardinals fan, I don't know their minor-league system very well. The last time I saw their AAA team play (the Memphis Redbirds came down to play New Orleans), they didn't seem to have any studs in their outfield. I do know that the St. Louis outfield certainly isn't stacked, so isn't there a chance that the Cards could find room for Ankiel in the next year or two? He's still young, and he at least has some hitting skills. I'm not saying that he's going to be an All-Star, but there are a lot of clowns playing outfield in the majors right now, and with the right development, he could certainly be better than many of them. __________________ No, I am not Batman, and I will not repair your food processor.

03-09-2005, 07:31 PM	#14
WSUCougar Rider Of Rohan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Port Angeles, WA or Helm's Deep	Once he starts putting all of his efforts into hitting and fielding, I think he could be a decent outfielder. I don't think he'll embarrass himself. Major league level? I doubt it, but I'd like to be wrong. __________________ It's not the years...it's the mileage.

03-09-2005, 11:37 AM	#4
Philliesfan980 Banned Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Exton, PA	He'll be a double A player at best.

03-09-2005, 11:40 AM	#5
tategter High School JV Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Florida Swampland	When was the last time a player was both a successful hitter and pitcher in the majors? Babe Ruth? There have been several players in recent memory to be successful at both in the minors (John Olerud comes to mind), but who in the majors?

03-09-2005, 11:42 AM	#6
flere-imsaho Coordinator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chicagoland	Shouldn't the title of this thread be "Cardinals' Catchers will have one less thing to worry about"?

03-09-2005, 11:50 AM	#7
korme Go Reds Join Date: May 2001 Location: Bloodbuzz Ohio	so much potential thrown down the drain

03-09-2005, 12:01 PM	#8
MikeVic Head Coach Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hometown of Canada	I remember when I was in a Baseball Mogul league, and everyone wanted to get this guy because his scouting report made him look like Pedro.

03-09-2005, 07:32 PM	#15
Huckleberry College Starter Join Date: Dec 2001	cartman - Why haven't you pointed out Brooks Kieschnick yet? For shame. __________________ The one thing all your failed relationships have in common is you. The Barking Carnival (Longhorn-centered sports blog) College Football Adjusted Stats and Ratings

03-10-2005, 11:09 AM	#18
Ksyrup This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off. Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: In Absentia	From an ESPN article: Baseball is full of deceptions. Pitchers try to deceive batters. Managers use misdirection as a matter of strategy. As once-promising St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Rick Ankiel tries to resurrect his professional career as an outfielder, at least one such move has brought regrets. Using Darryl Kile as a decoy when he intended to start Ankiel against Atlanta's Greg Maddux in the 2000 National League Division Series was "a big mistake," manager Tony La Russa told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in Thursday's editions. The deception might have added to the pressure on then-rookie Ankiel, who made it to the majors that season at age 19 and was 11-7 with a 3.50 ERA. He led the team with 194 strikeouts in 175 innings. After holding the Braves scoreless in the first two innings and being given a 6-0 lead, Ankiel became the first major league pitcher since 1890 to throw five wild pitches in one inning. He faced eight hitters in the inning, retired two and allowed four runs before being lifted. Ankiel finished the postseason with nine wild pitches and 11 walks in four innings. In 2001, Ankiel went 1-2 with a 7.13 ERA in six starts for the Cardinals, walking 25 in 24 innings, then was sent to the minors. He didn't return until last Sept. 7 and made five late-season starts, going 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA in 10 innings. On Wednesday, Ankiel announced that he was giving up pitching to try to make the team as an outfielder. "I don't have any regrets about starting Rick in Game 1," La Russa told the Post-Dispatch. "In my mind, our only chance to win that series was to pitch those two guys [Ankiel and Kile] four games." What does bother La Russa is that he had Kile appear at the news conference the day before the series. Kile answered questions without indicating he would start Game 2. *La Russa also pointed to the loss of catcher* *Mike Matheny* *before that series, who he said might have caught the Ankiel pitches that eluded* *Carlos Hernandez. Ankiel, now 25, had not pitched in a spring training game this season. He was to have pitched in a "B" game Wednesday, but it was rained out. He sat out 2002 with a sprained left elbow and missed most of the 2003 and 2004 seasons after reconstructive elbow surgery. --------------------------- Uh...I'm all for coming up with some possible explanation, but that one?!?! A bit of a stretch....not as big of a stretch as was needed to catch the wild pitches, but pretty close. __________________ M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete." Last edited by Ksyrup : 03-10-2005 at 11:10 AM.*

03-10-2005, 12:25 PM	#22
CraigSca Pro Starter Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Not Delaware - hurray!	I think the NLDS game where Ankiel melted down would be interesting to watch if ESPN Classic would show it again. Especially the first two innings - was he wild and just got lucky? Or was there an exact point in time where he lost it? __________________ She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah! She loves you, yeah! how do you know? how do you know?

03-10-2005, 12:32 PM	#23
Ksyrup This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off. Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: In Absentia	That's what is so strange. He pitched two scoreless innings, had a 6-0 lead, and lost it. It would be relatively understandable if he never had it together, but he had it all going his way when the meltdown occurred. __________________ M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete."

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