Perhaps my all time favorite Cardinal. We were indeed on the Board when he melted down; unbelievable. Though a meltdown was probably inevitable eventually, LaRusso totally screwed up starting him in first game.
That season he was as good as Sandy Koufax; hitters had no chance.
His comeback as a position player is indeed movie worthy. Who will ever forget his first at bat when he came back and who can ever forget his many incredible throws from deep in the outfield; certainly not the astonished runners tagged out trying to advance.
Only Babe Ruth did what Rick Ankiel did that I can remember. But for a knee injury, I believe he could have made the Hall of Fame.
Dream:
Perhaps my all time favorite Cardinal. We were indeed on the Board when he melted down; unbelievable. Though a meltdown was probably inevitable eventually, LaRusso totally screwed up starting him in first game.
That season he was as good as Sandy Koufax; hitters had no chance.
His comeback as a position player is indeed movie worthy. Who will ever forget his first at bat when he came back and who can ever forget his many incredible throws from deep in the outfield; certainly not the astonished runners tagged out trying to advance.
Only Babe Ruth did what Rick Ankiel did that I can remember. But for a knee injury, I believe he could have made the Hall of Fame.
Carlin Dead but remembering a Great One
Great article, Dream. Ankiel will always be one of my Cardinals. I’d also recommend his book if you haven’t read it.