Richard Alexander Ankiel (born July 19, 1979, in Fort Pierce, Florida) is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Ankiel began his career in the majors as a starting pitcher, posting a solid rookie season in 2000 with 11 wins, 7 losses, and 194 strikeouts, but during the playoffs that year, he suddenly found himself unable to throw strikes consistently. After a few years of struggling with injuries and command, he abandone...
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Richard Alexander Ankiel (born July 19, 1979, in Fort Pierce, Florida) is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Ankiel began his career in the majors as a starting pitcher, posting a solid rookie season in 2000 with 11 wins, 7 losses, and 194 strikeouts, but during the playoffs that year, he suddenly found himself unable to throw strikes consistently. After a few years of struggling with injuries and command, he abandoned pitching in 2005 and began to work his way back up to the major leagues as an outfielder, finally succeeding in August 2007. He is the only active major leaguer to have played as a full-time major-league pitcher and position player, and one of only a handful in history.
Rick attended Port St. Lucie High School in Florida, where he went 11–1 with a 0.47 ERA during his senior season, striking out 162 batters in 74.0 innings pitched, and was named the High School Player of the Year by USA Today in 1997. He was also a 1st Team High School All...
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