Rick Ankiel retires as a pitcher, to become an outfielder. I am very disapointed, to say the least.

http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/NA...t=.jsp&c_id=stl
Ankiel to switch from mound to outfield
Former Cards pitcher excited about 'new challenge'

JUPITER, Fla. -- Blame it on the rain?

As of Tuesday night, Rick Ankiel was slated to be the Cardinals' starting pitcher in a "B" game against the Marlins on Wednesday morning. By 9 a.m. CT on Wednesday, rain had washed out that game and Ankiel was ready to announce he wouldn't be pitching anymore, anywhere.

Ankiel, once considered a future Cy Young Award winner, has decided to pursue a career as an outfielder, leaving the pitcher's mound behind for good. The telling wording in a release by the Cardinals was that Ankiel "has chosen to retire as a Major League pitcher." He will begin working out as an outfielder immediately.

As a rookie in 2000, Ankiel went 11-7 with a 3.50 ERA and 194 strikeouts in 175 innings as the Cardinals won the National League Central. However, he suffered severe control problems in the postseason and the 2001 season, followed by a series of elbow troubles. Ankiel finally underwent reconstructive elbow surgery in 2003 and made it back on a Major League mound in 2004.

Ankiel pitched in winter ball in Puerto Rico this past offseason. He had struggled in recent throws in Spring Training, including a difficult batting practice session where he threw three strikes out of 23 pitches.

"Turn the page, that's it," said Ankiel. "I'm happy and I'm excited. I was excited coming to the park today, knowing it was something new. Something new to focus on. It's a new challenge. It should be cool."

Ankiel has hit .207 in 87 Major League at-bats, with a .258 on-base percentage and a .310 slugging percentage. In the minors, he hit .279/.337/.558 in 165 career at-bats. He thrived as a part-time designated hitter for Johnson City of the rookie-level Appalachian League in 2001, putting up a line of .286/.364/.638 with 10 homers in 105 at-bats.

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big MAC gotta testify!

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Barstools are built for Dreamers...

You and prvngrnd need to take note! This is just one more reason why the cards are gonna get spanked by the bravos this year. You bunch of pansies.

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"Yeah, so what do you gotta say for yourselves now!"

i think not

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And things just get brighter for the Cubs!!!!!!!!!!!!

You goin to any of the Cards vs Cubs games?


edit: This article on ESPN.com seems to a have more info on Ankiel's decision. (For any Cards fans on this list)
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2008633

edit2: another article on ESPN.com about Ankiel, which talks about him as a hitter.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2008800

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That is bizarre, especially since Ankiel appeared in some games at the end of last season and appeared to be back on track. Hope he makes it as an outfielder. Oh and that doesn't help the braves ot the cubs because the Cards weren't really relying on Ankiel for anything other than a possible secret weapon.

I thought his control problems a couple years ago were caused by his elbow troubles. I guess it is all in his head. I really hope he makes it as an outfielder too. It would have been nice to have him in long-relief situations, especially with Matt Morris' reputation to give up alot of runs early.

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Eat Thome's shorts, Tide. Phillies all the way this year, baby!!

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I've seen that look from Thome before...
"Swing and a miss, strike three." (144 SO in '04)

Go Cards!

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Can't argue with ya there, brother. Good luck to you and your tomahawkin' friends this season. My big prediction on the Braves is that Smoltz is making a mistake getting back into the rotation. More power to him, but I have a feeling it's gonna be a bust. Now, Hudson on the other hand ... .

Edit: Thought you were a Braves fan. Sorry about that. As for theories on the Redbirds, I'm still waiting for them to cough their way out of one of the biggest chokes in baseball history. Much love to Rolen and the boys, though. What a freakin' lineup!!!

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braves alll the way this year, we have two A pitchers, and two b pitchers and and the third best closer in the league last year, and oh brain jordan is hitting 700 this spring. ankiel another mark wholers gone bad, too bad cool guy