Now... that's just plain old wierd (NEWS)
Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2005 10:32 am
Ankiel to switch from mound to outfield
03/09/2005 12:14 PM ET
By Matthew Leach / MLB.com
JUPITER, Fla. -- Blame it on the rain?
As of Tuesday night, Rick Ankiel was slated to be the Cardinals' starting pitcher in a "B" game against the Marlins on Wednesday morning. By 9 a.m. CT on Wednesday, rain had washed out that game and Ankiel was ready to announce he wouldn't be pitching anymore, anywhere.
Ankiel, once considered a future Cy Young Award winner, has decided to pursue a career as an outfielder, leaving the pitcher's mound behind for good. The telling wording in a release by the Cardinals was that Ankiel "has chosen to retire as a Major League pitcher." He will begin working out as an outfielder immediately.
As a rookie in 2000, Ankiel went 11-7 with a 3.50 ERA and 194 strikeouts in 175 innings as the Cardinals won the National League Central. However, he suffered severe control problems in the postseason and the 2001 season, followed by a series of elbow troubles. Ankiel finally underwent reconstructive elbow surgery in 2003 and made it back on a Major League mound in 2004.
Ankiel pitched in winter ball in Puerto Rico this past offseason. He had struggled in recent throws in Spring Training, including a difficult batting practice session where he threw three strikes out of 23 pitches.
"Turn the page, that's it," said Ankiel. "I'm happy and I'm excited. I was excited coming to the park today, knowing it was something new. Something new to focus on. It's a new challenge. It should be cool."
Ankiel has hit .207 in 87 Major League at-bats, with a .258 on-base percentage and a .310 slugging percentage. In the minors, he hit .279/.337/.558 in 165 career at-bats. He thrived as a part-time designated hitter for Johnson City of the rookie-level Appalachian League in 2001, putting up a line of .286/.364/.638 with 10 homers in 105 at-bats.
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
03/09/2005 12:14 PM ET
By Matthew Leach / MLB.com
JUPITER, Fla. -- Blame it on the rain?
As of Tuesday night, Rick Ankiel was slated to be the Cardinals' starting pitcher in a "B" game against the Marlins on Wednesday morning. By 9 a.m. CT on Wednesday, rain had washed out that game and Ankiel was ready to announce he wouldn't be pitching anymore, anywhere.
Ankiel, once considered a future Cy Young Award winner, has decided to pursue a career as an outfielder, leaving the pitcher's mound behind for good. The telling wording in a release by the Cardinals was that Ankiel "has chosen to retire as a Major League pitcher." He will begin working out as an outfielder immediately.
As a rookie in 2000, Ankiel went 11-7 with a 3.50 ERA and 194 strikeouts in 175 innings as the Cardinals won the National League Central. However, he suffered severe control problems in the postseason and the 2001 season, followed by a series of elbow troubles. Ankiel finally underwent reconstructive elbow surgery in 2003 and made it back on a Major League mound in 2004.
Ankiel pitched in winter ball in Puerto Rico this past offseason. He had struggled in recent throws in Spring Training, including a difficult batting practice session where he threw three strikes out of 23 pitches.
"Turn the page, that's it," said Ankiel. "I'm happy and I'm excited. I was excited coming to the park today, knowing it was something new. Something new to focus on. It's a new challenge. It should be cool."
Ankiel has hit .207 in 87 Major League at-bats, with a .258 on-base percentage and a .310 slugging percentage. In the minors, he hit .279/.337/.558 in 165 career at-bats. He thrived as a part-time designated hitter for Johnson City of the rookie-level Appalachian League in 2001, putting up a line of .286/.364/.638 with 10 homers in 105 at-bats.
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.