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Rick Ankiel

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Rick Ankiel
Ankiel with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2008
Center fielder/Pitcher
Born:(1979-07-19)July 19, 1979(age 44)
Fort Pierce, Florida,U.S.
Batted:Left
Threw:Left
MLB debut
August 23, 1999, for the St. Louis Cardinals
Last MLB appearance
June 8, 2013, for the New York Mets
MLB statistics
Batting average.240
Home runs76
Runs batted in251
Win–loss record13–10
Earned run average3.90
Strikeouts269
Teams
Medals
Men'sbaseball
RepresentingUnited States
World Junior Baseball Championship
Bronze medal – third place 1996Sancti Spíritus Team

Richard Alexander Ankiel(/ˈæŋkiːl/;born July 19, 1979) is an American formerprofessional baseballcenter fielderandpitcher.He spent most of hisMajor League Baseball(MLB) career with theSt. Louis Cardinals,but also played for theKansas City Royals,Atlanta Braves,Washington Nationals,Houston Astros,andNew York Mets.

Ankiel was a pitcher with the Cardinals from 1999 until 2001 when he found himself unable to throw strikes consistently. After trying to regain his pitching form in the minor leagues and briefly returning to the majors in 2004, 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 returned to the Cardinals on August 9, 2007. As a Cardinal until 2009, Ankiel hit 47 home runs as an outfielder and two as a pitcher. After the 2009 season, Ankiel became a free agent. Subsequently, he was signed by the Royals and later was traded to the Braves.

Ankiel became the first player afterBabe Ruthto win at least 10 games as a pitcher and also hit at least 70 home runs. Ankiel is also the only player other than Ruth to both start a postseason game as a pitcher and hit a home run in the postseason as a position player. His change of position, and the fact that he played for six teams in a five-season span, suggest that Ankiel's playing history represents "one of the stranger careers in baseball history" in the words of journalist Barry Petchesky.[1]

Early life and amateur career[edit]

Ankiel was one of three children born to Denise and Richard Ankiel, Sr. His father worked various odd jobs, was arrested 14 times and convicted 6 times by the time Ankiel was an adult. He described his father as very tough on him, making him run wind sprints if he swung at bad pitches inLittle League.[2]

Ankiel attendedPort St. Lucie High SchoolinFlorida,where he went 11–1 with a 0.47earned run average(ERA) during his senior season, striking out 162 batters in 74 innings pitched,[3]and was named theHigh School Player of the YearbyUSA Todayin 1997.[4]

Professional career[edit]

TheSt. Louis Cardinalsselected Ankiel in the second round of the1997 Major League Baseball Draft.He received a $2.5 millionsigning bonus.[5]In 1998, he was voted the best pitching prospect in both theCarolinaandMidwest League,and was theCarolina 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.[6]

In 1999, Ankiel was named the Minor League Player of the Year by bothBaseball AmericaandUSA Today.[2]He was alsoTexas LeagueAll-Star pitcher, Double-A All-Star starting pitcher, Cardinals Minor League Player of the Year,[7]andBaseball AmericaFirst Team Minor League All-Star starting pitcher.[8]

1999 and 2000 seasons[edit]

Ankiel debuted in 1999 inMontreal,against theExpos.He pitched his first full season in 2000 at the age of 20 (second youngest player in the league), posting an 11–7 record, a 3.50ERA(tenth in the league), and 194strikeouts(seventh in the league) in 30 games started.[9]Ankiel threw a 94- to 97-mphfastball,a heavysinker,and a fall-off-the-tablecurveballthat was his main strikeout pitch. He struck out batters at a rate of 9.98 strikeouts per nine innings (second in theNational Leagueonly toRandy Johnson), and allowed only 7.05hitsper nine innings (second only toChan Ho Park). He came in second (to theAtlanta Braves'Rafael Furcal) in the NLRookie of the Yearvoting.[9]He receivedThe Sporting NewsRookie Pitcher of the Year Award.

2000 postseason[edit]

TheCardinalswon theNational League CentralDivision championship in 2000. Injuries to other pitchers left Ankiel andDarryl Kileas the only fully healthy starters left on the roster. Cardinals managerTony La Russachose Ankiel to start Game One of theNational League Division Seriesagainst veteran pitcherGreg Madduxof the Braves. To shield Ankiel from media pressure, La Russa had Kile answer questions to the media as if to start Game One, and afterwards informed the media that Ankiel was starting.[10]

In Game One, Ankiel did not allow a run through the first two innings. His performance suddenly deteriorated in the third. He allowed four runs on two hits, four walks and throwing fivewild pitchesbefore being removed with two outs. Despite Ankiel facing eight batters and throwing 35 pitches, the Cardinals won the game.[11]Ankiel shrugged off the event, joking that he was the first pitcher to throw five wild pitches in an inning sinceBert Cunninghamof thePlayers' Leaguein 1890.[12]

In his next start, Game Two of theNational League Championship Seriesagainst theNew York Mets,Ankiel was removed in the first inning after throwing 20 pitches, five of which went past catcherEli 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' hitterTimo Perez.Ankiel appeared again in the seventh inning of Game Five 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,[13]but speculated to be psychological; his father had been sent to federal prison and his parents were divorced during the 2000 season.[2]His loss of control, often called "theyips"in sports, has been compared to that ofSteve 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 2000–2001. LaRussa has stated that putting Ankiel into Game One of the 2000 NLDS was "a decision that perhaps haunts him more than any he has ever made."[14]

Control issues (2001-2005)[edit]

Ankiel with theSwing of the Quad Citiesin 2005

Ankiel returned to the majors in 2001 but again had issues controlling his pitches, walking 25 batters and throwing five wild pitches in 24 innings,[9]and was sent down to Triple-A. His problems in the minors became dramatic. In4+1⁄3innings, Ankiel walked 17 batters and threw 12 wild pitches, accumulating a 20.77 ERA.[9]He was demoted all the way down to the Rookie LeagueJohnson City Cardinals,where he was successful as both a starting pitcher and a part-timedesignated hitter(sporting a.638 slugging percentage with 10 home runs and 35 RBIs in 105 at-bats).[9]He was voted Rookie Level Player of the Year,Appalachian LeagueAll-Star left-handed pitcher, Rookie League All-Star starting pitcher, Appalachian League Pitcher of the Year, and Appalachian League All-Star designated hitter.

In 2002, Ankiel sat out the season due to a left elbow sprain, and was not cleared to throw until December. He returned to the minors in 2003, posting a 6.29ERAin 10 starts[9]before undergoing season-endingulnar collateral ligamentreconstruction (Tommy John surgery) for his left elbow in July. In54+1⁄3innings, he walked 49 batters and threw 10 wild pitches.[9]

Ankiel returned to the majors in September 2004, posting a 5.40ERAin five relief appearances. Ankiel's control problems appeared to be gone, as he walked just one while striking out nine in ten innings.[9]In the minors, he walked only two batters in23+2⁄3innings, while striking out 23. However, on March 9, 2005, after a successful winter pitching in thePuerto Rican Professional Baseball League,Ankiel announced that he was switching to the outfield,[15]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[edit]

In 2006, Ankiel was invited to spring training by the Cardinals 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.[16]

2007 season[edit]

Ankiel was invited to the Cardinals' 2007 spring training and began that season at Triple-AMemphis Redbirds.On May 28, 2007, he hit two home runs in a game against theRound Rock Express.He also hit an RBI double and made an over-the-shoulder catch in deepcenter fieldthat saved two runs.

Ankiel was named a starting outfielder for the 2007Triple-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 against theIowa Cubs.He was the home run leader in thePacific Coast League,and tied for second in RBIs. Defensively, Ankiel had seven errors in 95 games.

Ankiel batting for theSt. Louis Cardinals in 2007

Return to the majors[edit]

On August 9, 2007, the Cardinals promoted Ankiel[17]from Memphis after a roster spot was vacated byScott Spiezio's departure. In his first game, Ankiel batted second and playedright field.In his first at bat, he received a prolongedstanding ovationfrom the St. Louis crowd. During the seventh inning, he hit a three-run home run offDoug Brocailto right field to help the Cardinals defeat theSan 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 sinceClint 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, Tony La Russa said that his only happier moment as a Cardinal was when they won the2006 World Series.[18]Two days later, against theDodgerson August 11, Ankiel drew three standing ovations. He had three hits, including two home runs and three RBIs and made a spectacular catch in right field.

Ankiel's comeback prompted syndicated columnistCharles Krauthammerto write on August 17, 2007:[19]

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 afterBarry Bondssets asynthetic home run recordinSan Francisco,theNaturalreturns to St. Louis.

— Charles Krauthammer,Townhall, 2007

Ankiel hit his firstgrand slamin St. Louis against left-handerEddie Guardadoof theCincinnati Redson August 31 with the team trailing, 4–3, for an 8–5 win that broke a tie withRed Schoendienstfor La Russa for most wins by a Cardinals manager. In a home game against thePittsburgh Pirateson 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. On September 23, Ankiel had his firstwalk-offhit, a two-run triple to win the lastSunday Night Baseballgame of the season – against theAstros,4–3.

Ankiel finished the year with a.285 batting average, 11 home runs, 39 RBIs, a.328 on-base percentage,.535 slugging percentage, and an.863OPSin 47 games and 172 at-bats.[9]The Cardinals, who had won division titles from 2004 to 2006 and the 2006 World Series, finished 2007 with a 78–84 record and missed the playoffs.

Following the season, Ankiel admitted to usinghuman growth hormone(HGH), but said he was following doctor's orders.[20]HGH was not banned by Major League Baseball until 2005.[21]Major League Baseball concluded that there was insufficient evidence of any wrongdoing by Ankiel.[21][22]

2008 season[edit]

Ankiel helped the Cardinals defeat theColorado Rockieson May 6 by recording two outfield assists and a home run to propel St. Louis to a 6–5 victory. Ankiel, on both assists, threw the ball from deep center field toTroy Glausat third on the fly. He finished 2008 with a.264batting average,25home runs,and 71runs batted in.[9]

2009 season[edit]

Ankiel was the Cardinals' leading hitter in spring training but struggled at the plate when the season started. During a May 4 game against thePhiladelphia Phillies,Ankiel collided with the outfield wall and was carried off the field. The injury was reported aswhiplash,and Ankiel was placed on thedisabled liston May 7.[23]He was re-activated on May 24.[24]Ankiel platooned with Colby Rasmus for much of the remainder of the year and finished the season with 11 home runs, 38 RBI, and a.231 batting average.[9]

2010 season[edit]

In January 2010, Ankiel signed a one-year, $3.25 million contract with theKansas City Royals.[25][26]He 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.[27]He was activated on July 23, and replaced an injuredDavid DeJesusmidway through the game in center field.[28]On July 31, Ankiel and relieverKyle Farnsworthwere traded to the Atlanta Braves forJesse Chavez,Gregor BlancoandTim Collins.[29]

On October 8, in the second game of the2010 NLDSagainst theSan Francisco Giants,Ankiel hit his first career postseason home run intoMcCovey Coveoff Giants relieverRamón Ramírezin the top of the 11th inning, leading the Braves to a 5–4 win. Rick joined Barry Bonds as the only two players to hit a ball into the cove in the postseason.[30]Speaking on television after the game, Ankiel called the home run "the pinnacle of anything I've ever done."[31]He finished the 2010 season with a.232 batting average, 6 home runs, and 24 RBI in only 74 games.

2011 season[edit]

Ankiel with theWashington Nationals in 2011spring training

On November 2, 2010, the Braves declined Ankiel's club option, making him a free agent.[32]On December 20, 2010, theWashington Nationalssigned him to a one-year, $1.5 million contract.

Ankiel played in 122 games for the Nationals in 2011, hitting.239 with 9 home runs and 37 RBIs whileplatooningin center field withRoger Bernadina.He had a.996 fielding percentage for the season, committing one error in 113 games in the outfield.[33]

2012 season[edit]

The Nationals re-signed Ankiel to a one-year, $1.25 million minor league deal for 2012.[34]He began the season on the disabled list, rehabbing in the minors. Once promoted, his role was limited as a backup outfielder. In 68 games, he hit.228 with five home runs and 15 RBIs in 158 at-bats. He started 37 games in center field and played 62 total games in center with a.983 fielding percentage. On July 19, Nationals closerDrew Storenwas added to the roster, and Ankiel wasdesignated for assignmentby the Nationals to make room.[35]On July 27, Ankiel was released by the Nationals.

2013 season[edit]

Ankiel with the Mets in 2013

On January 17, 2013, theHouston Astrossigned Ankiel with an invite to spring training as a non-roster invitee. On March 31, Ankiel homered in the Astros' regular season opener against theTexas RangersinHouston.He was designated for assignment on May 6 and released shortly thereafter.

One week later on May 13, theNew York Metssigned Ankiel and immediately placed him into their starting lineup. He collected two hits, including a two-run homer, against theCardinalsin St. Louis on May 15.[36]

His offensive production regressed, and following an 0-for-4, three-strikeout performance against theMiami Marlinson June 8 (giving him a combined 60 strikeouts in 128 at-bats for the season), Ankiel was designated for assignment by the Mets. He became a free agent on June 13. In 45 games, he batted.188 with 7 home runs and 18 RBI and a.422 slugging percentage.

Retirement[edit]

Ankiel announced his retirement from Major League Baseball on March 5, 2014.[37]

On January 8, 2015, theWashington Nationalsannounced that they had hired Ankiel as a "Life Skills Coordinator." In this role, Ankiel mentors players both at the major league level as well as in the Nationals'farm system.[38][39]

In April 2017, Ankiel's memoir,The Phenomenon: Pressure, The Yips, and the Pitch that Changed My Life,was published.[40]

In August 2018, Ankiel stated that he was "toying with" the idea of possibly pitching in professional baseball again.[41]Later that month, Ankiel announced that he was planning a return to Major League Baseball for the 2019 season as a pitcher.[42]In October, he underwent "primary repair" surgery, an alternative to Tommy John surgery, in his pitching elbow.[43]Ankiel officially ended his comeback attempt on July 30, 2019. He was eligible to be elected into the Hall of Fame in 2019, but received less than 5% of the vote and became ineligible for the 2020 ballot.

After retiring, Ankiel became a commentator and studio analyst forBally Sports Midwest,frequently joiningDan McLaughlinin calling Cardinals games.[44]

Personal life[edit]

Ankiel's father was sentenced to six years in federal prison for drug smuggling in March 2000. His parents were divorced the same year.[2]

Ankiel lives inJupiter, Floridawith wife, Lory.[45]They have two sons.[46]He periodically joins Cardinals television broadcasts.[47]

In popular culture[edit]

The 2016 film,The Phenom,starringEthan Hawke,Johnny Simmons,andPaul Giamatti,is loosely based on Ankiel's personal life and professional struggles.[48]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^Petchesky, Barry (May 13, 2013)."The Mets Sign Rick Ankiel".Deadspin.RetrievedMarch 6,2014.
  2. ^abcdJordan, Pat (February 11, 2001)."A Mound of Troubles".New York Times Magazine.RetrievedMarch 31,2023.
  3. ^Nightengale, Bob (February 8, 2001)."The playing fields offered an escape".USA Today.RetrievedMarch 6,2014.
  4. ^"All-USA High School Baseball Team by USA Today".Baseball Almanac.RetrievedMarch 6,2014.
  5. ^"Baseball Signing Bonus".Baseball Almanac.RetrievedApril 5,2019.
  6. ^"Rick Ankiel Minor League Statistics & History".Baseball-Reference.RetrievedMarch 6,2014.
  7. ^"Rick Ankiel Timeline".ESPN.September 7, 2007.RetrievedMarch 6,2014.
  8. ^Greer, Jarvis."Rick Ankiel Lights Up Triple-A- in Memphis/Looks for Return to Majors".wmctv.Archived fromthe originalon March 7, 2014.RetrievedMarch 7,2014.
  9. ^abcdefghijkBatting and Pitching Splits, Matchups, and Daily LogsatBaseball-Reference
  10. ^Lewis, Brian (October 11, 2000)."Kile Might Get Chance to be Three-mendous".New York Post.RetrievedMarch 6,2014.
  11. ^"St. Louis Cardinals 7, Atlanta Braves 5".Retrosheet.October 3, 2007.RetrievedDecember 14,2007.
  12. ^Jim Salter (August 9, 2007)."Now in Outfield, Ankiel Returns to Cards".AOL Sports. AP.RetrievedDecember 14,2007.[dead link]
  13. ^Difabbio, Ronald (July 1, 2006).The Baseball Gods.iUniverse.
  14. ^Three Nights in August: Strategy, Heartbreak and Joy Inside the Mind of a Manager,by Buzz Bissinger, Houghton Mifflin Company; First Mariner Books edition (2006,ISBN978-0-618-71053-9)
  15. ^Matthew Leach (March 9, 2005)."Ankiel to switch from mound to outfield".MLB.RetrievedDecember 14,2007.
  16. ^"Another Setback in Ankiel's Comeback".Washington Post.June 15, 2006.RetrievedMarch 6,2014.
  17. ^Jim Salter (September 9, 2007)."Cardinals Call Up Ankiel As Outfielder".ABC News, ESPN Sports, AP.RetrievedAugust 29,2012.
  18. ^R.B. Fallstrom (August 9, 2007)."St. Louis 5, San Diego 0".Yahoo! Sports, AP. Archived fromthe originalon October 25, 2012.RetrievedDecember 14,2007.
  19. ^Charles Krauthammer (August 17, 2007)."The Natural Returns to St. Louis".Townhall.Archived fromthe originalon January 9, 2016.RetrievedDecember 14,2007.
  20. ^Roger Rubin (September 8, 2007)."Rick Ankiel says use of HGH was doctor's orders".NY Daily News.RetrievedDecember 14,2007.
  21. ^abMatthew Leach (December 6, 2007)."MLB concludes Ankiel investigation".MLB.RetrievedDecember 14,2007.
  22. ^"Press Release: Gibbons, Guillen suspended".MLB(Press release). December 6, 2007.RetrievedDecember 14,2007.
  23. ^"Ankiel placed on DL in wake of collision: Outfielder out with shoulder contusion; Robinson called up".MLB.May 7, 2007. Archived fromthe originalon May 10, 2009.
  24. ^"Yahoo Sports 2009 Game Log".Sports.yahoo.RetrievedApril 1,2013.
  25. ^Rick Ankiel signs one-year contract plus option with Royals[dead link]
  26. ^Kaegel, Dick (January 25, 2012)."Ankiel to play center field for Royals".Royal News.royals.mlb.Hot Stove Report. MLB Advanced Media, LP.Archivedfrom the original on January 21, 2015.RetrievedJuly 5,2017.
  27. ^"Strained quadriceps land Ankiel on DL".ESPN.AP. May 4, 2010.RetrievedJuly 25,2012.
  28. ^"Jeter hits 2nd career inside-the-park HR".ESPN.AP. July 23, 2010.RetrievedJuly 25,2012.
  29. ^"Royals trade Ankiel, Farnsworth".ESPN.Associated Press. August 1, 2010.RetrievedMarch 7,2014.
  30. ^Jeff Sullivan (October 9, 2010)."Game 2: Rick Ankiel Splashdown Homer In 11th Gives Braves Dramatic Win".SB Nation. NLDS.RetrievedOctober 9,2010.
  31. ^Tim Brown (October 9, 2010)."Ankiel's wild ride is finally a blast".Yahoo! Sports.RetrievedOctober 9,2010.
  32. ^ "Braves keep Gonzalez, Infante, pass on Ankiel, Farnsworth".CBS Sports.Associated Press. November 2, 2010.RetrievedFebruary 12,2011.
  33. ^"MLB - stats".Mlb.mlb. June 19, 2012.RetrievedApril 1,2013.
  34. ^"Rick Ankiel agrees to one-year deal with Washington Nationals".Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers. February 7, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon March 8, 2014.RetrievedMarch 8,2014.
  35. ^"Nationals activate Drew Storen".ESPN.Associated Press. July 19, 2012.RetrievedJuly 19,2012.
  36. ^DiComo, Anthony (May 13, 2013)."Ankiel in lineup on first day with the Mets".MLB.RetrievedMarch 6,2014.
  37. ^Jaffe, Jay (March 5, 2014)."Rick Ankiel retires, closing out his fascinating career".Sports Illustrated.RetrievedAugust 2,2018.
  38. ^Wagner, James (January 8, 2015)."Rick Ankiel hired as Nationals' newly created minor league 'life skills' coordinator".The Washington Post.RetrievedJanuary 8,2015.
  39. ^Janes, Chelsea (September 20, 2015)."For Nats and their prospects, Ankiel is a go-to guy for a good chat".The Washington Post.p. D11.
  40. ^Ankiel, Rick (2017).The Phenomenon: Pressure, The Yips, and the Pitch that Changed My Life.PublicAffairs.ISBN978-1610396868.
  41. ^Kelly, Matt (August 2, 2018)."This 39-year-old is attempting a comeback".MLB.RetrievedAugust 2,2018.
  42. ^"Rick Ankiel Announces He's Attempting MLB Comeback as Relief Pitcher in 2019".Bleacher Report.
  43. ^Adler, David (November 7, 2018)."Rick Ankiel comeback delayed by elbow surgery".MLB.RetrievedMarch 25,2019.
  44. ^"Former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher-turned-outfielder Rick Ankiel reflects on pressures of MLB play".
  45. ^"Rick Ankiel Stats, Bio, Photos, Highlights".Stlouis.cardinals.mlb. June 19, 2012.RetrievedApril 1,2013.
  46. ^"Kindred: Is Rick Ankiel through with comebacks? Maybe".July 24, 2019.
  47. ^"Media Views: Versatile Rick Ankiel plays another position — analyst in Cards' television booth".June 4, 2021.
  48. ^Buschel, Noah (June 24, 2016),The Phenom(Drama, Sport), Johnny Simmons, Ethan Hawke, Paul Giamatti, Sophie Kennedy Clark, Elephant Eye Films,retrievedApril 1,2021

External links[edit]

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Honorary titles
Preceded by Youngest Player in the
National League
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