Rick Ankiel – St. Louis Cardinals: A Remarkable Comeback Journey in MLB
Rick Ankiel’s journey with the St. Louis Cardinals is one of the most fascinating stories in baseball history. Drafted in the second round of the 1997 MLB June Amateur Draft from Port St. Lucie High School, Ankiel quickly emerged as a pitching phenom. What makes his story truly remarkable is his unprecedented transformation from a struggling pitcher to a successful outfielder after developing a mysterious inability to throw strikes from the mound.
Ankiel’s career began with tremendous promise as a left-handed starter for the Cardinals. In 2000, he posted an impressive 11-7 record with a 3.50 ERA and 194 strikeouts, finishing second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting.
But during the 2000 playoffs against Atlanta, something inexplicable happened – he suddenly couldn’t control his pitches, throwing five wild pitches in a single inning.
Rather than fade into obscurity like many “lost control” pitchers before him, Ankiel reinvented himself as an outfielder and returned to the St. Louis Cardinals in 2007. His powerful arm, now unleashed from the outfield, and surprising power at the plate made him a fan favorite. This remarkable career transformation has cemented Ankiel as one of the most unique players in Cardinals history and earned him induction into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.
Contents
Early Life and Baseball Beginnings
Rick Ankiel’s journey from a talented high school phenom to professional baseball showcases his exceptional abilities as both a pitcher and later an outfielder. His early development laid the foundation for one of baseball’s most unique career transformations.
High School Career
At Port St. Lucie High School in Florida, Ankiel emerged as one of the nation’s most dominant high school pitchers in the late 1990s. His senior year was nothing short of spectacular. The left-hander posted a 11-1 record with a microscopic 0.47 ERA, striking out an impressive 162 batters in just 74 innings.
Ankiel’s devastating curveball and mid-90s fastball made him nearly unhittable at the prep level. In recognition of his dominance, he earned the USA Today High School Player of the Year award in 1997.
Baseball scouts raved about his natural talent, with one famously comparing his curveball to Sandy Koufax’s. Beyond pitching, Ankiel displayed impressive hitting skills, batting over .380 during his high school career.
Draft and Minor Leagues
The St. Louis Cardinals selected Ankiel in the second round of the 1997 MLB Draft, signing him with a $2.5 million bonus—an exceptionally large sum for that draft position. His minor league progression was remarkably swift.
In his first full professional season, Ankiel dominated across multiple levels. By 1999, he had been named Baseball America’s Minor League Player of the Year after posting these impressive numbers:
| Level | W-L | ERA | Strikeouts | Innings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AA | 8-3 | 2.35 | 119 | 88.0 |
| AAA | 5-0 | 0.91 | 75 | 49.1 |
His minor league performance convinced Cardinals management they had a generational talent. Ankiel made his major league debut at just 19 years old, becoming the youngest player in the majors at that time.
Major League Career
Rick Ankiel’s MLB journey stands as one of baseball’s most unique stories, transforming from a pitching phenom to a power-hitting outfielder over his 11-season career. His remarkable ability to reinvent himself showcased his exceptional athletic talent and determination.
St. Louis Cardinals Era
The Cardinals selected Ankiel in the second round of the 1997 MLB Draft, giving him a substantial $2.5 million signing bonus. His pitching debut proved sensational – at just 20 years old in 2000, he went 11-7 with a 3.50 ERA and 194 strikeouts in 175 innings.
The promising start earned him second place in Rookie of the Year voting. His future looked limitless under manager Tony La Russa’s guidance.
Then came the 2000 playoffs. In Game 1 of the NLDS against Atlanta, Ankiel inexplicably lost his control, throwing five wild pitches in a single inning. This sudden inability to locate the strike zone, later known as “the yips,” derailed his pitching career.
Ankiel’s pitching statistics with St. Louis:
| Year | W-L | ERA | Games | Innings | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 11-7 | 3.50 | 31 | 175.0 | 194 |
| 2001 | 1-2 | 7.13 | 6 | 24.0 | 27 |
| 2004 | 1-0 | 5.40 | 5 | 10.0 | 9 |
Position Transition
After struggling with control issues and attempts at rehabilitation, Ankiel made an unprecedented decision. Rather than abandon baseball, he reinvented himself as an outfielder in 2005.
The transition required tremendous determination. He spent nearly three years in the minors developing his hitting and fielding skills. His powerful arm, once his pitching asset, now served him well for throwing out runners from the outfield.
When Ankiel returned to the Cardinals lineup on August 9, 2007 as an outfielder, he homered in his first game, creating one of baseball’s most emotional moments. The St. Louis crowd gave him a standing ovation.
By 2008, Ankiel had completed his transformation, hitting 25 home runs in what would be his best offensive season. This achievement put him in rare company with Babe Ruth as the only players to start 25+ games as a pitcher and later hit 25+ homers in a season.
Moving Between Teams
After the 2009 season, Ankiel began a journey through several MLB clubs. He signed with Kansas City in 2010, batting .261 with 4 home runs before being traded to Atlanta.
With the Braves, he contributed to their playoff push and appeared in the postseason. His defensive skills remained valuable despite inconsistent offensive production.
The Washington Nationals signed Ankiel for the 2011 season, where he provided outfield depth for two years. He later had brief stints with Houston Astros in 2013, hitting a home run on Opening Day.
His final MLB stop came with the New York Mets in 2013. Throughout this period, Ankiel’s elite throwing arm remained his calling card, regularly making highlight-reel defensive plays despite declining batting averages.
Retirement From MLB
Ankiel officially announced his retirement in 2013 at age 33, ending a career that spanned 11 seasons with six different teams. His final career statistics included 76 home runs, 251 RBIs, and a .240 batting average as a position player.
His pitching stats showed early brilliance: 13-10 record with a 3.90 ERA and 269 strikeouts in 242 innings. The totality of his achievements represents something truly rare in modern baseball.
Post-retirement, Ankiel has worked as a baseball analyst and authored a book about his struggles with the pitching yips. His story remains one of baseball’s most compelling narratives about resilience and reinvention.
USA Baseball notes that his best season came in 2008 when he hit those 25 homers while batting .264 for the Cardinals, solidifying his successful transition from pitcher to everyday outfielder.
The Phenomenon of The Yips
Rick Ankiel’s promising pitching career took a dramatic turn during the 2000 playoffs. In Game 1 of the NLDS against Atlanta, the Cardinals’ young phenom suddenly lost control, throwing five wild pitches in a single inning—something not seen in the postseason since 1908.
What Ankiel experienced wasn’t a physical injury but rather what baseball players call “the yips“—a psychological condition where athletes suddenly lose the ability to perform basic motor skills they’ve executed thousands of times before.
“I was pitching with fear,” Ankiel later admitted. This freeze mindset is what many experts believe leads to the yips, creating a devastating cycle of performance anxiety and failure.
Ankiel wasn’t alone in this struggle. Other notable pitchers like Steve Blass and Doug Brocail faced similar challenges that derailed their careers. What makes Ankiel’s story remarkable is that he’s one of the few who managed to return to Major League Baseball—not as a pitcher, but as an outfielder.
| Season | Wild Pitches | Innings Pitched | Wild Pitch Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 9 | 33.0 | 0.27 per inning |
| 2000 (Regular) | 12 | 175.0 | 0.07 per inning |
| 2000 (Playoffs) | 9 | 4.0 | 2.25 per inning |
In his memoir “The Phenomenon: Pressure, The Yips, and The Pitch That Changed My Life,” Ankiel details his harrowing journey. The book reveals how this once-in-a-generation talent battled not just opposing batters, but his own mind.
The Cardinals organization showed remarkable patience with Ankiel, giving him multiple opportunities to reclaim his pitching form before supporting his transition to the outfield.
Post-Playing Career
After retiring from baseball in 2013, Rick Ankiel found new ways to stay connected to the game he loved.
He transitioned to broadcasting, working as a television analyst for Fox Sports Midwest covering the Cardinals. His insights as both a former pitcher and position player gave viewers a unique perspective.
In 2018, five years after hanging up his cleats, Ankiel developed the itch to play again. Remarkably, he attempted a comeback as a pitcher—the very position he had abandoned years earlier due to control issues.
Ankiel also authored a book titled “The Phenomenon,” which detailed his struggles with the yips that derailed his pitching career. The memoir became popular among athletes dealing with performance anxiety.
His remarkable story caught Hollywood’s attention, with his career set to be adapted for film. Few baseball tales offer such dramatic highs and lows.
Ankiel’s Broadcasting Appearances
| Network | Role | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Fox Sports Midwest | Analyst | 2013-2018 |
| MLB Network | Guest Analyst | 2014-2016 |
| Fox Sports | Postseason Contributor | 2015-2017 |
Ankiel has occasionally reunited with former manager Tony La Russa at charity events. The two share a special bond, as La Russa stood by Ankiel during his pitching struggles and later supported his transformation to an outfielder.
Achievements and Awards
Rick Ankiel’s career with the St. Louis Cardinals featured remarkable accomplishments both as a pitcher and later as an outfielder. His unique journey included notable recognition and statistical milestones that few players in MLB history have achieved.
Professional Accolades
Ankiel’s professional recognition began early. He was named the Cardinals’ Minor League Player of the Year in 1998. While he didn’t win the National League Rookie of the Year award in 2000, he finished seventh in voting after his impressive debut season on the mound.
The young phenom received a substantial $2.5 million signing bonus when drafted in the second round of the 1997 MLB Draft, reflecting the Cardinals’ high expectations.
His most unique achievement remains being one of only two players in MLB history (along with Babe Ruth) to win at least 10 games as a pitcher and hit at least 50 career home runs.
Standout Seasons
Ankiel’s 2000 pitching campaign stands as his most dominant. He posted an 11-7 record with a 3.50 ERA and 194 strikeouts in just 175 innings.
| Year | Role | Key Stats |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Pitcher | 11-7, 3.50 ERA, 194 K |
| 2008 | Outfielder | 25 HR, 71 RBI, .264 AVG |
His 2008 return to the majors as an outfielder proved equally impressive. Ankiel blasted 25 home runs with 71 RBIs while maintaining a respectable .264 batting average.
His throwing arm remained a weapon after his pitching career ended. Ankiel became known for spectacular outfield assists, using his pitcher’s arm to nail runners from center field with pinpoint accuracy.
Ankiel’s Impact on Baseball
Rick Ankiel’s journey from promising pitcher to outfielder represents one of baseball’s most remarkable comeback stories. His transformation wasn’t just personal—it changed how we view athletic resilience in professional sports.
Ankiel joined Babe Ruth in an exclusive club as one of only two players in MLB history to hit at least 25 home runs in a season after previously starting 25+ games as a pitcher. This rare accomplishment highlights his exceptional versatility.
The “yips” that derailed Ankiel’s pitching career became a talking point throughout baseball. His struggle with the sudden inability to control his pitches brought attention to the psychological challenges athletes face.
The Cardinals organization showed remarkable loyalty during Ankiel’s transition. They supported him as he abandoned his pitching dreams and reinvented himself as an outfielder.
In the outfield, Ankiel’s arm remained a weapon. During the 2008 season, he recorded two outfield assists and a home run in a single game against the Colorado Rockies, showcasing his all-around abilities.
| Ankiel’s Career Highlights | As Pitcher | As Outfielder |
|---|---|---|
| MLB Seasons | 1999-2001, 2004 | 2007-2013 |
| Home Runs | 0 | 76 |
| Games | 51 | 619 |
| Cardinals Tenure | 1999-2001, 2004 | 2007-2009 |
Ankiel’s comeback inspired countless players facing career adversity. His willingness to completely reinvent himself rather than leave baseball altogether demonstrates a profound love for the game.
Personal Life
Rick Ankiel, born Richard Alexander Ankiel on July 19, 1979, in Fort Pierce, Florida, has built a life beyond the baseball diamond that’s as interesting as his unique playing career.
After retiring from Major League Baseball in 2013, Ankiel and his wife Lory make their home in Florida. St. Louis remains close to his heart after his memorable years with the Cardinals.
The former pitcher-turned-outfielder is a family man with two children. His commitment to family life represents a steady foundation following his tumultuous playing career.
Ankiel has transitioned into several post-baseball careers. He currently works as a sports analyst. According to his Instagram profile, he’s also added “yacht broker” to his resume.
He’s also become an author, publishing “The Phenomenon,” which details his struggles with the yips. The condition famously derailed his pitching career.
Beyond professional pursuits, Ankiel has achieved hall of fame status in both Missouri and Florida. This recognition is for his significant impact in both states where he’s spent most of his life.
“The Natural” – a nickname earned through his remarkable transformation from pitcher to power-hitting outfielder – continues to inspire many with his story of resilience and reinvention.
