JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — 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.

They should have done this a long time ago.

Ankiel is a good hitter.

But now he'll have to work on this in the minors - if they'd done that as soon as he freaked out, he'd probably be ML ready by now.

Call me crazy, but isn't having an accurate throwing arm important to an outfielder?

Wow, I thought he was turning the corner the end of last season. Sad to see anyone hit wildness like this. Except Knoblauch, his was kinda funny.

I still remember that playoff game with him and still feel bad for him. I wish him the best of luck in being an outfielder.

This is such a stupid move. The guy obviously has his command back, as shown by him walking a grand total of three batters in 33.2 IP, and St. Louis allows him to become an outfielder? The Cardinals have close to nothing in pitching prospects, other than Reyes who has had one good year, and they convert one? Dumb, dumb move.

I guess in the lat month his command was as bad or wrose than in the meltdown. This is very sad but I guess you have to trust the judgment of La Russa and Duncan

I think the Cardinals had to make an effort to end the side show too. Every pitch this guy threw was being watched, and may have started to distract the team. Him converting to OF will get attention right away, but die down somewhat...

This is such a stupid move. The guy obviously has his command back, as shown by him walking a grand total of three batters in 33.2 IP, and St. Louis allows him to become an outfielder? The Cardinals have close to nothing in pitching prospects, other than Reyes who has had one good year, and they convert one? Dumb, dumb move.

Couldn't agree more.

I agree it was stupid. He actually was looking good last year and if all went well, could've been the #2 pitcher on the staff. He looked like he had his stuff back last year and he showed some command. I would've liked to see him continue as a pitcher.

It says he didn't throw this spring, but that's a lie... The Cards played an intrasquad game and Ankiel pitched. Apparently he only threw 3 strikes... in 24 pitches.

 

My guess is the descision was made then.

It was HIS decision to make the switch. I don't know who to believe, some of my Cub fan buddies say the guy looked wild in his last start, then even worse in an intrasquad game. Supposedly, at one point he literally quit on the mound saying he didn't want to risk hitting one of his own players.

Call me crazy, but isn't having an accurate throwing arm important to an outfielder?

Accurate as an outfielder is much different than accurate as a pitcher.

A cutoff man is bigger than a strike zone.

I think he'll be better off making this change, since the pressure of throwing strikes obviously got to him.

I, for one, would be shocked to see Rick ever appear in a major league game as an outfielder.

I, for one, would be shocked to see Rick ever appear in a major league game as an outfielder.

 

I totally agree, not only do I not see him being more than a below average hitter, I dont see how he could be a good fielder. Does anyone know if he can run or if he has any range at all?

I thought he was your average can't hit, can't do s*** pitcher. Can he read liners off the bat? Can he charge in on a pop-up? Does he know the proper drills?

Bruce Kieschnick anyone?

Bruce Kieschnick anyone?

 

Its Brooks

Call me crazy, but isn't having an accurate throwing arm important to an outfielder?

This is all mental with Ankiel, he probably will have a strong/accurate arm from the OF

Ankiel was a .250 hitter as a pitcher. He could hit. And he still can throw. Still really sucks cause he had as good of stuff as Wood.

I say sign him for league minimum and hire a really good hypnotist with the extra money.

I am now of the opinion (I didn't invent the theory unfortunately) that this is a ruse organized by the brilliant Tony La Russa and Walt Jocketty. They will now be able to send him down the minors, out of options, because he will clear waivers as an outfielder where he wouldn't have as a pitcher. No team can put Rick on their 40 man as an outfielder.

Ankiel goes 1-for-2 as Cardinals' DH...

 

"Ankiel plays DH in first day after ending pitching career"

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylc=X3oD...ov=ap&type=lgns

I say K-Dub should try to get him some how. I agree that when his control is on, he has as good as stuff as Wood and not as violent as a motion. K-Dub get it done. It can't hurt at all and stick him in the bullpen. Then you could have him as a spot starter and a lefty in the pen like Oz wants. Willie(even though I support him) for Ankiel.

Before anyone makes light of someone's brain glitches, like Ankiel or Knoblauch, they should read Peter Gammon's March 10th column on Rick Ankeil at ESPN website. In fact, I'd recommend it any baseball fan. Sometimes, as fans, we are so critical of ballplayers and in most cases, it's just not warrented.