Yesterday the St. Louis Cardinals recalled pitcher Rick Ankiel from the AAA Memphis Redbirds. At one time Ankiel was thought to be the top pitching prospect in the National League. But after a great season in 2000, he had a meltdown in the playoffs where he lost all of his command and was throwing wild pitches and walks all over the place (11 walks and 9 wild pitches in 4 innings). He was unofficially dubbed "The Wild Thing" like he came straight out of the movie "Major League".

After surgery, and a two year rehab assignment, he's now back with the big club after posting phenomenal numbers this year in the minor leagues (23 2/3 innings pitched, 23 strikeouts, 9 hits, 2 walks, and an ERA under 1.00).


Can Ankiel be a difference maker in the playoffs? 

But, the question is, can Rick handle the pressure to perform in the big games? We'll see as the Cards travel down the stretch, how he does as a filler for the injured Steve Kline. Who knows, maybe with a little luck he'll be helping to close out a couple of World Series victories. For more info & opinion on his return, checkout the articles here, here, and here.

- these thoughts flowed through Jeff's fingers @ 12:47 PM