AUGUST 6th: Ankiel has announced that he will indeed pursue a comeback, in an interview on FOX Sports Midwest (video available on Twitter).
AUGUST 2nd: Though he’s long removed from his days as an active major leaguer, former pitcher-turned-outfielder Rick Ankiel says he’s now “toying with” the idea of trying to return to the mound, as Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports reports. It seems the thought is still in its infancy, but it’s intriguing to consider nevertheless.
Ankiel, who recently turned 39, has already crafted a notable path in baseball. He was a phenom on the mound for the Cardinals, only to see his career crumble in stunning fashion owing to a case of the yips that never went away.
The highly valued young hurler placed second in the 2000 Rookie of the Year voting at twenty years of age. But he collapsed in the ensuing postseason and was never again a useful MLB pitcher. While he made it back to the majors briefly in 2004, Ankiel decided to rebuild himsef as a outfielder the following spring when the problems returned.
Ankiel ended up turning in seven seasons as a position player. While he was noted mostly for his defense — particularly, a rocket of a throwing arm — Ankiel also had plenty of power and ended up swatting 76 home runs and carrying a .240/.302/.422 slash in over two thousand career plate appearances. It was almost entirely a feel-good story, though a PED controversy arose in the middle of that time.
Needless to say, there’d still be quite a few hurdles to Ankiel’s potential return to professional pitching. But he is said to have reached the upper eighties with his fastball even before any dedicated work. He’s not outlandishly old; on occasion, pitchers still work into their forties. And given that he stopped pitching at 25 years of age, his arm hasn’t suffered anything close to the wear and tear of a typical big league hurler.
Given that the idea only seems to have been hatched recently, details remain scant. It may be that Ankiel won’t even follow through on the concept. But he indicated to Brown that he’d like to try working as a reliever in camp next spring. That’d surely make for a fascinating storyline to follow for those many fans that have wondered whether Ankiel still had one more run left in his powerful left arm.
stubby66
Go for it!!! If it makes you happy then that’s all that matters you have nothing to lose!!
ABCD
Could be the answer to the Cards bullpen problems.
Dotnet22
He could probably make the cubs pen. They’re pretty terrible.
anthonyd4412
Huh?
getright11
Good one
ThatBallwasBryzzoed
The Cubs have one of the best bullpens in baseball. Even great bullpens have bad days.
Cardinals17
I’d like to see the Cardinals give Ankiel an invite to Spring Training!!! He could actually be that consistent lefthander they have needed in the bullpen over the past 4 years. Who knows until he tries.
LiberalStooge
Your logic is flawed. What if he enjoys sexual assault?
tank62
Well who doesn’t?
greatdaysport
Yeah, right.
WolandJR
Do it, and sign with the Nats!
Pudge49902
I hear they have a great clubhouse
dimitrios in la
Actually I think the O’s could be in.
willthethrill
I still remember watching game 1 of the 2000 NLDS where rick threw 5 wild pitches in that game against the Mets.
willthethrill
Against the Braves**. Sorry about that
Chewbacca
And yet the Braves still lost that game. ugh.
CardsNation5
And the Mets
teddy 3
What’s your point?
3rdStrikeLooking
Whats YOUR point?
Gwynning's Anal Lover
Sometimes people point just to point to point things out.
dorfmac
I’d like to point out that you said point three times in one sentence to make your point.
nymetsking
Good point
getright11
His point was he remembers that happening. It’s not hard to figure out, wiseguy.
dimitrios in la
Will, it seems hard for some people to have a civil conversation. Anyhow, I too remember it as it happened. Quite a shocking sports moment. RealSports on HBO did a good piece on him recently and what he experienced mentally and physically on the mound during these moments. An O’s fan here… I root for him.
ThePriceWasRight
Good luck. Will be pretty tough to convince a team, “hey remember when I couldn’t pitch so i was turned into an OF. well I’ve been away for a few years but am now back to pitch so take a chance on me.”
troll
he’s a lefty. premium prices for lefty’s
ReverieDays
As if there aren’t hundreds of them on the Minors who are young or haven’t been good enough to make the show.
kleppy12
But he was good enough to make it, not saying he has the same stuff but those guys dont have the stuff he had.
dmarcus15
if your left handed and able to hit in the 90s there is a spot for you somewhere in baseball maybe not in the MLB right away but at least a invite.
tiredolddude
Read his book and he surely has the courage. Guess if you still have the fire in the belly, the aggravation is worth it
anthonyd4412
I couldnt put that book down
baseballhobo
He must have absolutely no money left.
JJB
That’s probably part of it, but I think the other part is his questionable role as the “Life Skills Coordinator” for the Nationals. Judging by the chaos that surrounds the team and front office now, I doubt he’s having much of an effect. Plus, he wrote a book, so what would he have to offer that he didn’t write in the book?
That’s why I always thought “leadership” players were overrated. Just buy a leadership book for the rookies and save the money, instead of spending it on overpriced “grit and intangibles” type of veterans.
thesheriffisnear
Yeah, I mean why have a veteran leader give you instant feedback, help you work through a slump, boost team morale, etc. when you could just spend your very little free time reading books.
JJB
Then hire a clown, or bring in silly animals like Joe Maddon did to improve “morale”. No need to sign Eric Hosmer for millions of dollars.
thesheriffisnear
If you’ve ever been a part of any competitive team, you’d understand that players like that are crucial for success. A team without leadership never achieves what they may be capable of. I’m not talking about spending 100+ million on a guy like Hosmer. I guarantee you if you ask any Cubs player on the 16 and 17 season what the biggest differences were between those two teams, they would all bring up the lack of David Ross, who basically played one day per week. So saying that these players aren’t important is a pretty ignorant thing to say.
kleppy12
See the Twins in 2015, they had hunter and they were decent. 2016 no leader and they sucked. 2017 they had Jimenez and made the playoffs. This year no leader and they were a disappointment.
tomselleck
Those silly animals won a WS, so…..
Nats Town
See Nationals this year without Jayson Werth
themed
I sure get tired about hearing about that one World Series in the last 110 years. It’s like cub fans thinks that something special. Like no other World Series matters.
bringoutthegimp
What do the Nat’s have anything to with this? Stop wasting the few marbles you have left!
snakebyte32
I don’t think it is a money thing. His book sold pretty well. I would say that he just feels like maybe he has something left in his left arm. It would be a good baseball story if he goes through with it.
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
It might not be about money, heck why not try try to squeak out with a pension, not saying it’s all that plausible but if he still feels it…
We’re_Pham-ily
Yeah you make no money when your book is a NY Times Best Seller or when you Broadcast National Baseball Games…
GregF
That book has sold rather well.
Gwynning's Anal Lover
Did you buy a copy?
GregF
Got it on my Amazon wish list. Will soon.
MetsYankeesRedSox
Only if he used a Mets financial advisor
odogfenway
I feel like this was a Disney Movie at one point…Rays will sign him
tomrogic
Mets
nymetsking
and TJ is scheduled for next month at the mere Mets mention.
Gwynning's Anal Lover
I hope they make this into a Disney movie and then 5 years later, reboot the movie with a different cast with different ethnicities. Make it weird.
pinkerton
he’ll be better than Alex Cobb,
Monkey’s Uncle
Why not?
srechter
Ankiel’s final minor league pitching assignment always baffled me. By all measure, had found it again. He only walked 2 batters over 24 dominant innings and showed that control in a brief stint in the majors…only to never pitch again.
Codeeg
I always felt like by that time he was resigned to quitting pitching so the anxiety wasn’t as bad for him.
Ted
From what I recall and some Googling (there’s an old LA Times article from March 20, 2005 that’s helpful), Ankiel had a good winter ball season in 2004-05 but felt pain returning in his elbow that led to him working out as a hitter. He then had a couple atrocious spring appearances in 2005 and announced that he was going to make it a full-time switch.
bleacherbum
Do it Rick!!!! Would add to his legend even more!
tharrie0820
Toying with the idea? No thanks. Come back when you’re 110% committed to it
Codeeg
You must be a lovely encouraging friend to people.
juicemane
A “feel good story” from a former roid user…but Barry effen Bonds is not in the Hall of Fame….smh what a world we live in.
bighiggy
When was he busted for roids? Or do you know cause your mailman brothers cousin told you?
deweybelongsinthehall
Since he’s a lefty, maybe you Yankees fans will be looking at a signing and September call up to throw at the Red Sox…
deweybelongsinthehall
Just noticed Happ is out. Maybe for Saturday?
rocky7
Jeff, and all the rest of you….you’ve got to be kidding right?
39 years old, hasn’t pitched since 2005 is it, and wasn’t very effective when he did.
What league is he going to hope to get a chance and play in…… the intergalactic Mars league?
Feel good story indeed….quite a few players play into the 40’s…..and you include him in that community of former “players”?
For all of you hoping to have a chance to be the next King of England, I guess this guy gives you all hope!
Must have been a slow baseball news day ah Jeff?
pinkerton
why don’t you get lost bub
Codeeg
Just because it’s an uphill battle doesn’t mean it deserves your negativity. I don’t think anyone is saying there’s even a good chance he is going to do it, but man would the lot of us be pulling to see something like that work out.
Jim Bernstein
Thank You Rocky 7! Ankiel was washed up a long time ago; he has no chance at being an MLB player again. A couple of years ago, Oil Can Boyd was allegedly talking about a comeback and there were commenters immediately talking about if/how he could certain teams.
nymetsking
Lol @ Rocky 7
Lyman Bostock
Guess it’s more realistic than when we heard Palmeiro thinking about a comeback lol
Codeeg
Apparently he pitched yesterday in the bluegrass World Series and struck out the only batter he faced. He reached 89 on his fastball.
Chipper jones, Johnny Damon, nick swisher were some names in the lineup.
gomerhodge71
Johnny Damon will try to come back in some form to reset the HOF clock. I had never seen any player as obsessed with making it than him and I doubt he’s given up the idea.
xabial
I managed to find video of that strikeout.
mobile.twitter.com/Jevin_13/status/102484082253199…
Jake Peavy, Jonathan Papelbon, Brad Penny, Jason Marquis, Joe Nathan, Heath Bell…
Kelly Johnson, Adam LaRoche, David Ross, JD Drew…
Here’s the full roster: milb.com/documents/4/7/8/283902478/BWSRoster_updat…
Chuck B
He’d be better than Mets novelty, Tebow.
Stuemke17
Guy was having a solid season prior to injury.
southpaw2153
MLB is dying. The lack of true elite players is staggering. Smfh. Do us all a favor and stay home, Rick.
shelteredsoxfan
You’re kidding right? Baseball has never had more young talent than now
gomerhodge71
Rick Ankiel is the bizarro world Ron Mahay.
driftcat28 2
Two names I haven’t heard in a long time
Dotnet22
His dad is in prison.
noraj9
Lots of people’s dads are in prison. Cool story.
srmocardsfan
I say do it and when he’s in pitching shape give him cecil’s spot when he comes off the dl.
acmeants
And people complain about Tim Tebow trying to make it at his age.
Codeeg
There’s a difference when one actually has had success against mlb teams and the other is a good athlete but not talent.
2012orioles
Tebow has talent in baseball. You don’t just show up and bat .275 in the minors. Especially after not playing for so many years.
Ted
Granted Tebows been decent at AA, but Ankiel has an MLB track record. Ankiel at various points showed all-star level talent on the mound and at the plate. He’s not a converted NFL player; nobody knows if Tebow could ever be a major leaguer at any age
Voice of Reason
This is code for: I’m broke and need another big pay day.
Another cardinal loser.
lefty177 3
Or he just misses the competition, whichever
bighiggy
Why a cardinals loser? Such ignorant hate. You must be a true baseball fan, maybe you’re a homebody poster loser
itslonelyatthetrop
Or he was watching “The Rookie” and started to dream big…
Psychguy
Dodger’s Friedman has got to jump all over this one as long as it does not bring the billionaires over the luxury tax. How’s Axford working out?
Kenleyfornia74
Yup just keep getting taxed at 50 percent for the foreseeable future. Theres a reason many teams including the Yankees are doing it for this year
Psychguy
You want to win, you gotta pay especially when one QUALITY pitcher to the pen will do.
Kenleyfornia74
Yup its completely reasonable to have the most expensive closer in baseball and setup men making big money. You must have missed where the Rockies tried that and it failed miserably. Or the fact that almost all of the big money offseason set up guys have no panned out
Psychguy
I missed nothing. Last year was Morrow and they were so close to WS victory. Kershaw is clearly on the decline; Machado is here for a few more months. Their pen after Jansen (who is human this year) is extremely volatile. Ask yourself, after Jansen who would you want facing the good teams? You really feel comfortable with Yimi Garcia, Josh Fields, Scott Alexander, Pedro Baez, Axford, et al?You really think they can survive moving Mr. Blister or Stripling into the pen? You move Maeda to pen and who starts in his place?
Kenleyfornia74
Kershaw is not declining lol. His problem is staying on the field. When he is out there he is effective. Kershaw, Hill, Buehler, Wood rotation. Stripling and Maeda to bullpen.
Cam
Your obsession with the Dodgers and Andrew Friedman is scary. Protection order kinda scary.
fasbal1
I think hes hitting the bottle again
itslonelyatthetrop
Long Island beckons!
stan lee the manly
Cards have to give him a minor league deal if he can get up into the 90s. Would be a feel good story for the fans who had the good fortune to watch him play and he’s not going to come with any risk whatsoever if he can’t make it back
fasbal1
Plus he can hit
Lyman Bostock
He’s 39 now … hmm. Kenny Lofton scored 86 runs as a leadoff hitter at 40 years old. He should make a comeback on the Hall of Fame ballot. It’s an embarrassment that he only got about 3% and was off the ballot after his first year.
Cam
Let’s play spot the guy with the agenda.
kiddhoff
Im gonna go out on a limb here and predict that if MLB moves the pitchers mound back about 250 feet, Ankiel will be an All Star
Dad
That’s freakin an amazing comment!
ffjsisk
Do what makes you feel good Rick, forget the haters.
CompanyAssassin
Wow the amount of disgusting comments here is incredible. Who cares if he’s terrible? Who cares if he’s good? Why would this man’s life affect you in any way? I’m glad everyone else here is wildly successful and is mighty enough to dictate who should and shouldn’t do whatever they please.
jd396
I certainly didn’t think this post would have contentious comments.
driftcat28 2
I’ll never forget all of those wild pitches. The tips are a real thing
driftcat28 2
Yips*
citizen
Case of the yips?
Who gets back to MLB first? Rick ankiel, Jose canseco, mr steroid I lied to congress Rafael palmerio or Tim linceceum?
jd396
Huh?
rocknwell
I. LOVE. THIS. Go Rick!
moe 3
Cards closer 2019
Dad
Dude has serious stones ! Go for it Rick! Throw some left handed slop on the corners and then give them the heater Ricky!