Rick Ankiel Hits 3-Run Shot in Comeback

Former pitcher looks good in debut as outfielder
By Max Brallier,  Newser User
Posted Aug 10, 2007 7:37 AM CDT
Rick Ankiel Hits 3-Run Shot in Comeback
St. Louis Cardinals' Rick Ankiel gets a big hug from manager Tony La Russa after they beat the San Diego Padres 5-0 in their baseball game Thursday, Aug. 9, 2007 in St. Louis. Ankiel posted a successful return to the major leagues as an outfielder with a three-run home run in the seventh inning. (AP...   (Associated Press)

The feel-good story of the season continued last night when St. Louis Cardinal Rick Ankiel hit a 3-run homer to help secure a 5-0 win over the Padres. For Ankiel, a troubled pitcher  making a comeback as an outfielder, it was the first homer  since 2000.

Ankiel was a gifted young pitcher who lost his control and, in 2005, went back to the minors to earn his stripes as an outfielder. Ankiel has worked his way back up to the majors; in his storybook debut, he launched a curveball from Doug Brocall over the right-field wall and earned himself a standing ovation. (More Rick Ankiel stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X