Rick Ankiel’s career is such a strange brew of promise, heartbreak and inspiration, it has left the baseball world grasping for comparisons.
Is he Babe Ruth, who gave up pitching to become one of the best sluggers in baseball history? Or is he Roy Hobbs, the fictional star of the 1984 movie “The Natural,” who was forced out of baseball in his youth, only to return years later as a prolific hitter?
Either way, that is exclusive company for the St. Louis Cardinals right fielder who is in Chicago through Monday for a four-game series against the Cubs.
Ankiel, 28, is best known for his 2000 season, when he went 11-7 with a 3.50 earned-run average in the regular season and was runner-up for Rookie of the Year. He then suddenly and publicly lost his command in the postseason.
After continued struggles and an elbow surgery, Ankiel gave up pitching two years ago and decided to reinvent himself as an outfielder.
Last week, Ankiel made his major-league debut as a position player in a game against San Diego — and, wouldn’t you know it, he hit a home run. Two days later, he hit two more.
While the sports media try to put his achievements into perspective, the left-hander remains focused on the game.
“Today was unbelievable,” Ankiel told mlb.com after his two-homer game. “I’m just trying to enjoy it.”
ANKIEL … THROUGH THE YEARS
At age 21, Rick Ankiel was on top of the baseball world when he disintegrated in the 2000 postseason. It took seven years, but the former pitcher has reconstructed his professional baseball career. [M.H.]
Oct. 3, 2000: Throws five wild pitches in Game 1 of the National League Division Series against Atlanta Braves.
Oct. 12, 2000: Fails to finish first inning after throwing two wild pitches in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series against the New York Mets.
May 11, 2001: Optioned to Triple-A Memphis.
2002: Misses entire season with elbow injury.
July 16, 2003: Undergoes ligament replacement surgery after making 10 minor-league starts and misses rest of season.
Sept. 7, 2004: Makes first major-league appearance since May 10, 2001.
March 9, 2005: Announces decision to give up pitching and pursue career as an outfielder.
May 26, 2006: Undergoes knee surgery and misses entire season.
Aug. 9, 2007: Makes major-league debut as a right fielder and hits three-run home run in Cardinals’ 5-0 win over the San Diego Padres.
Aug. 11, 2007: In just his third game back in majors, hits two home runs to lead Cardinals to 6-1 victory over the L.A. Dodgers.
[SOURCES: ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, MLB.COM]
