Rick Ankiel to the Outfield?

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Can pitcher make Cardinals roster at new position? <!-- end pagetitle --><!-- begin bylinebox -->


<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top><!-- begin leftcol --><!-- template inline -->JUPITER, Fla. -- Rick Ankiel is ending a pitching career plagued by record wildness and will try to make the St. Louis Cardinals' roster as an outfielder.

Ankiel, 25, had yet to appear in a spring training game as he tried to revive a career interrupted by control problems and injuries. He was to have pitched in a "B" game Wednesday, but it was rained out.

"We are fully supportive of Rick's decision to convert to an everyday outfielder," Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty said. "Rick will continue to train with the major league club this spring, and we look forward to seeing his development as a full-time batter and outfielder."

Ankiel missed most of the 2003 and 2004 seasons after reconstructive elbow surgery, and also sat out the entire 2002 season with a sprained left elbow.


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[BuckeyeBlitz04]

Glad I didn't pick him up in any of my fantasy leagues. I heard good things about him early in spring ball, then bad things about him about a week later. He has talent but can't control it.

 

[BuckeyeNation27]

so hes going to go from a pitcher where its ok to suck at bat to an everyday outfielder?

why the hell is it OK for pitchers to suck at the plate? they had to have batted at some point in their carreers. i cant imagine a high school player who cant hit still be on a team long enough to make it to the pros.

 

[sears3820]

What a sad end to this saga.

It's too bad Rick couldn't get his head on straight. He could have been one of the most dominating pitchers in the game. His stuff was just filthy.

 

[AKAK]

His stiff was just filthy.

There you go again.

 

[tibor75]

This is sad news. Watching him throw the baseball the last few years has been great to watch. Hopefully his throws to the cut-off man are just as hysterical.