*The following story will most likely be a "centerpiece" on Sportscenter or Outside the Lines; so I'll say it first.  Enjoy!

Rick Ankiel took the mound for Game 1 of the 2000 NLDS against the Atlanta Braves.  At the tender age of 20, was making the biggest start of his young career that already proved that he could potentially be a Hall of Fame starter.  The 1999 Minor League Player of the Year complied a 11-7 season with a 3.50 ERA and a blistering 194 strikeouts in 30 starts for the St. Louis Cardinals.  With Darryl Kile, it appeared that the Cards had their 1-2 punch in the rotation to carry them through the playoffs. 

Ankiel, blessed with an outstanding 12-6 curveball, appeared to have some minor nerves in his first playoff game.  Afterall, he did give up 2 hits and 2 BBs in only 2 innings pitched but it was to be expected of a young starter in his first playoff game.

WARNING:  The following may be considered graphic for young children, pregnant women and Cardinals fans.

Ankiel's first batter was Atlanta pitcher Greg Maddux.  Result?  Walk.  Then after getting an out, Ankiel threw back-to-back wild pitches to Andruw Jones which lead to another walk.  Then another wild pitch (Maddux scores) and a strikeout of Chipper Jones.  Then another walk followed by another wild pitch.  Then two singles that eventually lead to Ankiel being pulled in the 3rd inning.

The Beginning of the (Painful) End

Ankiel's wildness appeared on/off for the next season until he was sent all the way down to rookie ball in 2001.  There he showcased his true pitching and batting potential that appeared to have finally cured his mental ailments.  Wrong.  Wildness, walks, injuries (including Tommy John Surgery) all ruined Ankiel's attempt at relocating the strike zone.  After one last try at the mound, Ankiel announced that he would be moving into the outfield as he was a great athlete who displayed a good bat. 

At Single-A and Double-A, it appeared that Ankiel may just have a future in the "Show" again and at the age of 25, it was still there.  Ankiel showcased his power (.514 and .515 slugging percentage at both respective levels) and his arm (5 assists in 50+) games and a call-up to AAA appeared to be in his future.

It appeared Ankiel had too much luck as he would go on to miss all of 2006 with a knee injury that required surgery.  It appeared that it was the end for Ankiel's rocky Cardinals career.  But one last chance has been given.

Pride, Resilience and Determination

After a successful 2007 Spring Training, the 27-year old Ankiel was sent down to AAA Memphis with one more step to go to come back to his "home" in St. Louis.  Ankiel started the season off slow as he just couldn't get into a rhythm and most balls he hit were caught.

Then it appeared a switch went off in his mechanics.  Ankiel started to hit the ball well.  In May, Ankiel batted a robust .312 with 5 HR (making a season tally of 12) and 14 RBIs.  Ankiel missed the last portion of May with a minor Achilles tendon injury but came back in June with the same amount of success.  After a 3-HR game on June 16th, Ankiel seems poised to make it back to where his career hit a crossroads; St. Louis.  Though to be frank, the Pacific Coast League isn't exactly playing on fields such as PETCO park; Ankiel is showing power in the AAA, leading the league in HRs. 

Ankiel appears to be destined to the Majors though there is one problem.  Ankiel cannot be sent down to the Minors again unless he clears waivers.  With a demand for power batting (especially raw), Ankiel will most likely be on a different team instead of going back to Memphis.  Make sure to keep tabs on him as you will most likely be seeing a centerpiece on everything that went in his young, exasperating career on your TV very soon.

NOTE:  This article will appear on my website, http://www.freewebs.com/the-sports-net/index.htm on June 19th.

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