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Rick Ankiel Quits Pitching

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comment_447962

ESPN.com

 

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.

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    comment_447965

    Cards move Ankiel to outfield

    By Joe Strauss

    Of the Post-Dispatch

    03/09/2005

     

     

    Cardinals Rick Ankiel pitches in February during spring training at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla.

     

    JUPITER, Fla. -- Cardinals lefthander Rick Ankiel, once deemed the game's most promising young arm, will convert from pitcher to outfielder, effective immediately.

     

    The Cardinals confirmed the move Wednesday morning shortly after rain washed out what was scheduled to be Ankiel's spring debut in a B game against the Florida Marlins.

     

    "We are fully supportive of Rick's decision to convert to an everyday outfielder," Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty said in a prepared statement. "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."

     

    The unexpected announcement comes after Ankiel, 25, gave a promising September showing in the Redbirds bullpen followed by a credible performance as a starter in the Puerto Rican winter league. The winter league stint was cut short by elbow tenderness.

     

    This spring, Ankiel has struggled with command and had been pulled from pitchers field drills before experiencing erratic command in batting practice.

     

    "I just felt like after Puerto Rico, coming back when I was hurt there, I changed mechanically. Just coming back, I couldn't really replicate it," Ankiel said. "This whole time, that frustration has built up. I just really felt like it was eroding my spirits and starting to affect my personality off the field as well.

     

    "The frustration . . . it just became apparent it was time for me to move on and pursue becoming an outfielder."

     

    "... Not being able to go out there and be effective, not being able to replicate my mechanics, the frustration and the way it effects me off the field -- it just wasn?t worth it. I feel relieved now and I?m happy to move on."

     

    Ankiel hit .250 with two homers and nine RBIs for the Cards in 2000. After being sent to Johnson City of the Appalachian League in 2001, he got 105 at-bats as a designated hitter and hit .286 with 10 homers and 35 RBIs. In 134 minor-league at-bats since 2001, Ankiel has a .575 slugging percentage.

     

    The Cardinals plan to immediately integrate Ankiel into their outfield. In the "players" database on Major League Baseball's official web site (mlb.com), Ankiel already is listed as a left fielder.

     

    Because he is out of options, Ankiel must either make the club or be put through waivers.

     

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    This is such a sad story but I'm still pulling for the kid :(

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    comment_447969

    Wild ride: Ankiel converting to outfielder

     

     

    St. Louis Cardinals' Rick Ankiel speaks at a news conference in Jupiter, Fla. Wednesday, March 9, 2005, where he announced that he has chosen to retire as a major league pitcher and will turn his focus toward becoming an outfielder. Ankiel, 25, has yet to appear in a Grapefruit League game this spring. He owns a career pitching mark of 13-10 with a 3.90 ERA in 51 games, ikncluding an 11-7 mark during his rookie 2000 rookie season.

     

    JUPITER, Fla. (AP) -- Rick Ankiel is ending a pitching career derailed by injuries and 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 reconstructive elbow surgery. He was to have pitched in a ``B'' game Wednesday, but it was rained out.

     

    Ankiel said he's been thinking of making the switch since he left winter ball in Puerto Rico after feeling a twinge in his elbow. He was impressive in his first time throwing to hitters this spring, but the outings since then have been erratic.

     

    ``This whole time, the frustration that built up, it seems like it was really eroding my spirit and starting to affect my personality off the field as well,'' Ankiel said. ``It just became apparent that it was time for me to move on and pursue becoming an outfielder. I feel relieved now and I'm happy to move on.''

     

    Ankiel is a career .207 hitter in the major leagues, going 18-for-87 with two homers, a double, a triple and nine RBIs. He played some at designated hitter for the Cardinals' rookie league team in Johnson City, Tenn., where he hit 10 homers in 2001.

     

    ``I've always enjoyed playing outfield and I've definitely enjoyed hitting,'' Ankiel said. ``Hopefully, I can pick up as much as I can being around some of these guys and spending more time with them in the cage.''

     

    Manager Tony La Russa and general manager Walt Jocketty had been aware for a few days that Ankiel was considering giving up pitching. Ankiel said the pair ``said they understood and wished me luck.''

     

    ``We are fully supportive of Rick's decision to convert to an everyday outfielder,'' 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.''

     

    Pitching coach Dave Duncan said he didn't know of the decision until Wednesday morning.

     

    ``I've been trying to get him ready to pitch,'' Duncan said.

     

    Center fielder Jim Edmonds sympathized with Ankiel's decision.

     

    ``It can't be any more difficult than what he's been going through,'' Edmonds said. ``He's been through a lot.''

     

    Before Wednesday, Ankiel had been a virtual lock to make the team because he is out of minor league options. Now that he's changed positions the Cardinals likely will have an easier time sending him outright to the minors.

     

    ``My concern is just taking care of me as a person, and whatever else happens will fall into place,'' Ankiel said.

     

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    comment_447971

    Who said he would be a fine replacement for Kline? LOL!

    706269[/snapback]

     

    Not me. I said he'd be a decent replacement for Kiko Calero in the role Kiko had last year coming in for one inning setting up the setup man and getting the players out he was suppose to.

     

    I didnt expect this to happen. I really thought he'd be pitching in St. Louis this year. His appearances last year were good. You can look at that 5.40 ERA he had but he allowed like 5 of his 6 er's at Coors Field.. Other than that he looked electic.. I cant say I'm shocked but I certainly didnt expect this to happen.

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    comment_447973

    I think he's going to set a record for missing the cut off man.

    706280[/snapback]

     

    I think your gonna be wrong..

     

    I believe he's gonna be eventually a Brooks Keishnick type of player IMHO.. He'll come in to pitch outta the pen occasionally (that's assuming he ever wants to pitch again), be a pinch hitter, and if he has to can play the OF.. Maybe that's just me and my hopes for Rick!

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    comment_447977

    Methinks his days in the majors are numbered

    706286[/snapback]

    Yep, he hasn't been hitting regularly in 5+ years. It's not like he's gonna start swinging and be where he was when he was in school still. I'm not sure what his chances of succeeding are.

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