Off Topic: You have to love the Rick Ankiel story!!

[Lomax to Green 84]

2 more homeruns yesterday, 7 RBI's. 19 RBI's in the last 5 games! I know this is a football Cardinals board, but I also know there are some baseball redbird fans out there and I just think this Rick Ankiel thing is amazing.

I saw Ankiel play for the Peoria Chiefs (now the Cubs "A" affiliate, used to be the Cardinals "A" affiliate) back in 2005 just after he decided to give up the dream of being a pitcher and instead become a fulltime player. I saw him take batting practice and hit about 90 percent of the balls at least 400 feet. He was the most physically gifted minor league outfielder I had ever seen and I have been to a ton of minor league games.

Doubters want to say that he is a flash in the pan. I agree that he can't keep up this pace, but I firmly believe that he is a bonafide star caliber major league outfielder. Excellent playing speed, terrific arm, super quick bat, and most importantly a heart of gold.

They have to be making up a movie for this guy. What a great story.

 

[Russ Smith]

http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb/showthread.php?t=97002

In case you haven't seen it, sort of ruins it for me and I agree it was a hell of a story.

 

[Gambit]

http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb/showthread.php?t=97002

In case you haven't seen it, sort of ruins it for me and I agree it was a hell of a story.

I thought that's what this thread would be about. The report is he got the goods in 2004, so it doesn't completely destroy what he's done, but it sure does rob the story of its wholesome feel-goodness.

 

[Lomax to Green 84]

Wow, don't I feel like an idiot. I had no idea he got caught juicing up. I was just taken in by his story and am a diehard St. Louis Cards fan. That is really too bad and could be the nail in the coffin for the Cardinals.

 

[Mulli]

This stuff about Ankiel is wild. I hope he walks away from it okay. I can see La Russa pitching a fit for one of his guys though.