Ankiel likely out until 2007

[savafan]

http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs...606090384/1002

Kary Booher
News-Leader

Rick Ankiel likely won't be playing for the Springfield Cardinals, or any other St. Louis Cardinals affiliate, this season.

Ankiel's determined quest to become a big-league outfielder has been shelved until next season after the former pitching phenom recently underwent surgery on his left knee, said Adam Olsen, the organization's rehabilitation coordinator.

"We're going to be conservative with it and just get him ready for next year," Olsen said by phone Thursday. "He did just about everything right, but that last step, he still had trouble."

Ankiel suffered an injury early in spring training and was scheduled to begin taking batting practice, possibly seeing playing time, too, this month.

But the 26-year-old, on the mend at the organization's spring training headquarters in Jupiter, Fla., began suffering from tendonitis in his patellar tendon just below his left knee.

Ankiel underwent what Olsen described as minor surgery on May 26.

"We did it so he'll be good for next year," Olsen said.

The decision to hold Ankiel back until next season further delays what was becoming a successful turnaround following the left-hander's decision in March 2005 to ditch his pitching career and move to the outfield.

Ankiel hit 21 home runs in 321 minor-league at-bats combined last season for Springfield and the organization's Low-A affiliate in Davenport, Iowa.

That included 10 homers and 30 RBIs in Springfield's final 28 games — an impressive finish considering Ankiel opened the season with only one hit in his first 20 at-bats.

However, he finished the season with a combined batting average of .258 (83-for-321), with 17 doubles and 75 RBIs. He also struck out 37 times and drew 27 walks.

All of which led St. Louis to place Ankiel on its 40-man roster last fall, just hours before he was to become a free agent. He has been on the 15-day disabled list since April 1.

"We built around a pretty good window which will give him plenty of time (to get healthy) so we don't have to rush him," Olsen said. "We realized we just weren't going to get to where we wanted to."

[cincinnati chili]

It gives me no pleasure to say that the fork been 'stunk in this guy for several years now.

[westofyou]

Rick Ankiel = 21st Century Von McDaniel.

[smith288]

Rick Ankiel = 21st Century Von McDaniel.

You are RedsZone's Dennis Miller (minus the Bush support)

[Unassisted]

In 10 years, Ankiel could be much in demand as a banquet speaker or candidate for public office. Few players in baseball have such strange tales of adversity to draw from. He should spend some of his rehab time doing introspection about the inspiration he draws from his woes and weaving it into a stump speech.

[Handofdeath]

This goes to show you that you can't put 20-21 year old kids out there on the mound. If things go south, sometimes their whole psyche goes with it. They've dominated at every level from day one and then they get to the Majors. There is a BIG difference between AAA and the Majors and when they run into real problems for the first time in their young lives they can't handle it. Zack Greinke is another example. The maturity level isn't there.

[4256 Hits]

It gives me no pleasure to say that the fork been 'stunk in this guy for several years now.

Yep, unless he wants to step back on the mound.