Ankiel hopes to make Cardinals' return

After Rick Ankiel's collapse during the 2000 playoffs for the St. Louis Cardinals and his struggles that followed it seemed improbable that he would return to the major leagues. However, Ankiel feels that he is ready to fight his way back, not as a pitcher but as an outfielder. Ankiel had never played outfield as a professional until 2005 when he decided to make the switch, but he was a good hitter in high school.

Ankiel seemed to be on the way back to pitching in the majors in 2004, when he pitched in ten innings for the Cards. While he did have a 5.40 ERA, he showed no control issues, but after pitching in the Puerto Rican league that off-season and showing wildness during a practice that winter, he decided to give up on pitching and make the switch to the outfield. Ankiel was able to hit 21 home runs in the low-level minor leagues for the Cardinals, but bad luck struck Ankiel once again, as an elbow injury ended his comeback in 2006.

Still only 27, Ankiel hopes to make it back to the game he loves to play. Ankiel wished he could have been at the World Series, saying, "Just knowing that I could have been there," Ankiel said. "That's pretty much what's going through your mind the whole time you're watching. Other than that, you're excited for them. I know a lot of those guys. I played with a lot of them."

Ankiel will be working all off-season to make his way back to the major leagues and in many ways it would be good for baseball to see the return of one its once prized young talents.