So, I told everybody in my last post that I was in the process of moving and would not be able to post very often... Well, I didn't count on my laptop breaking as well. I think everything is taken care of now, with a fresh new computer, but you never know. I've tried hard to convince my dad to guest post on here every once in a while but he insists he's not capable of writing.
While I have not been able to post, I have still been following the Cardinals pathetic past week. Starting last Sunday with victories over Baltimore and Washington, they closed out the week losing four straight. The losing streak was thanks to the pitching staff. Todd Wellemeyer, Trever Miller, and Kyle Lohse were just three of the pitchers roughed up over the four game skid. As I write right now, the Cards are just underway against the Twins.
But Rick Ankiel is on the agenda today.
Will somebody tell me why, with Hollywood always looking for ideas, why nobody has done a movie about Rick Ankiel. Ankiel has the perfect storyline, showing his resilience, determination and overall 'never give up' demeanor.
After bursting onto the scene in 2000 coming from out of nowhere to go 11-7 and posting a 3.50 ERA, all while striking out 194 batters in 175 innings. He finished ninth in the league in ERA and second in K/9 innings. This kid seemed like he was going to be around for a while. That is, until the playoffs that season.
In the playoffs, Ankiel hit a mental block. He pitched only four innings... in two starts. His ERA ws over 15 and he walked 11. I still remember watching those games and seeing how hard he was pressing and just kept throwing pitch after pitch into the screen.
After returning to the minors and battling injury after injury, it seemed his career was all but over, but Ankiel wouldn't let that happen. He was a well above average hitting pitcher. In 2000 he batted .250 with a double, a triple, two homers and nine RBIs. Pretty good for a pitcher.
Ankiel, was lucky that the Cardinals organization was willing to give him another chance at a different position. They told him to try outfield, and Ankiel would not back down from the challenge. He worked hard and made his way back up to the majors in 2007. I told my dad that would make it back that year, and he didn't believe me. I showed him. Ankiel even hit a homer in his first game back.
His hitting never was the issue, his defense was what he had to work the hardest on, and he has excelled. I knew he was finding his way in the outfield when I say this game last May. Click here.
Anyway, why isn't there a movie yet? Or at least a book? Ankiel has established himself as a solid outfielder in the majors and has helped solidify his spot in a jam packed Cardinals outfield.
Just checked again...Cards trailing 3-0 in the fourth. Looks like it will be five in a row. That's all for today. Tomorrow starts a week of UCB project writing. Here's the schedule:
Monday - AL Predictions
Tuesday - NL East Predictions
Wednesday - NL Central Predictions
Thursday - NL West Predictions
Friday - Postseason/Awards Predictions
Hope everyone is having a great weekend!
Go Cards.
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