Ankiel Gets The Call

bigboy1234 · Post #1 » by **bigboy1234** » Thu Aug 9, 2007 4:57 pm

He is the The Natural, he is Young Musial, he is the alpha, the omega, the beginning, the end. And, as of today, he is a member of the St. Louis Cardinals. Sources tell us that an announcement that Rick Ankiel has been called up to the big leagues is scheduled for later this afternoon/weekend.

http://deadspin.com/sports/forgive-us-a ... 287760.php

Hopefully this is real I'm personally not a fan of calling him up because I don't think he'll get the playing time he needs, but oh well I need some excitement and thats what this kid brings. I would like to see a OF of Duncan, Ankiel, and Ludwick from here on out, but I doubt it happens. Then we could get Edmonds and Encarnacion to clear waivers and trade them, while just releasing terrible So So.

Cyborg21 · Post #2 » by **Cyborg21** » Thu Aug 9, 2007 4:58 pm

finally, thank god.

bigboy1234 · Post #3 » by **bigboy1234** » Thu Aug 9, 2007 6:19 pm

He's supposedly starting in RF tonight and batting 2nd. I'm glad he's playing his first game back at home, and the fans at the stadium will probably give him a standing ovation when he comes up to bat in the 1st, should be a special moment. I think Speizio is the one being sent down, but I'm not 100% sure on this yet.

Cyborg21 · Post #4 » by **Cyborg21** » Thu Aug 9, 2007 6:42 pm

Why would Speizio be sent down?.....and Hopefully we can rid of Juan to have Rick in RF next year.

bigboy1234 · Post #5 » by **bigboy1234** » Thu Aug 9, 2007 6:49 pm

this from Bernie Miklasz of the Post-Dispatch:

Ankiel is definitely on the way up - confirmed.

Going to be an interesting couple of days ... La Russa asked for Ankiel to be up here in time for the road trip through Milwaukee and Chicago ... But there is another development that expedited the process, and so Ankiel is en route a few days ahead of schedule ...to make room, won't be a trade, so relax on that ...but someone will go to make room for Ankiel ...

Strongly believe it's Spiezio but not confirmed ... Read Hummel's story about Spiezio online, written yesterday and there are clues ...there are some issues. .don't want to reveal anything more until we know more on a definitive basis...

Crazy week down there at the old ballpark behind the scenes... Edmonds and La Russa got into it two nights ago - pretty heated I'm told... But relax, it ain't like they've never got into a beef before.

http://www.stltoday.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=474714

Post #6 » by **mizzoupacers** » Thu Aug 9, 2007 7:04 pm

If Ankiel is in the starting lineup, it's going to be an EVENT. No way am I missing tonight's game. This is gonna be fun!!!

I say Rick Goes Deep at least twice tonight.

And all the other times he strikes out. :wink:

Supposedly Spiezio is battling another illness, unless it is a cover-up story of some sort. Maybe he is going to the DL to make room for Young Musial?

And what to make of Edmonds vs. La Russa? Or do we even care any more?

bigboy1234 · Post #7 » by **bigboy1234** » Thu Aug 9, 2007 7:07 pm

It's pretty much LaRussa vs. the World right now anyways, got to wonder how much longer him and Jocketty will be with us.

Post #8 » by **boogiesdad** » Thu Aug 9, 2007 10:05 pm

ts a wonderful story to see him back after that horrible World Series Performance

bigboy1234 · Post #9 » by **bigboy1234** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 2:07 am

I say Rick Goes Deep at least twice tonight. And all the other times he strikes out.

So close.

Post #10 » by **pacerfan** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 3:45 am

What a great beginning. I'm smiling big. Wish I could have seen the game.

Failed pitcher Rick Ankiel hit a three-run homer to cap his debut as a major league outfielder, and Joel Pineiro worked seven scoreless innings in the St. Louis Cardinals' 5-0 victory over the San Diego Padres on Thursday night. The Cardinals took three of four from the NL West-contending Padres, spoiling the return of Chris Young in the finale.

Post #11 » by **mizzoupacers** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 4:01 am

bigboy1234 wrote:
I say Rick Goes Deep at least twice tonight. And all the other times he strikes out.

So close.

He was robbed of that second home run by Khalil Greene. That guy plays really deep for a shortstop. :wink:

I guess now we know the story with Spiezio (he's going into treatment for substance abuse). Probably also explains why they called Ankiel up now. They knew the fans needed a feel-good story to make up for a fairly popular player going into treatment in the midst of a discouraging season. Good for the Cardinals for doing that for us fans, and good for Ankiel for delivering. The Indiana Pacers haven't been able to do anything like that about their off-court problems since Reggie Miller retired.

Post #12 » by **pacerfan** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 11:03 pm

mizzoupacers wrote:He was robbed of that second home run by Khalil Greene. That guy plays really deep for a shortstop.

One of the better lines of the season. Thanks.

Maybe that second homer tonight?

Tiggo Bitties · Post #13 » by **Tiggo Bitties** » Sun Aug 12, 2007 6:32 am

Man what a great start! Ignore his hitting for a second...

His ability to play the outfield is key and he's shown SO much in that regard. I would be more then happy with an above average defensive outfielder that hits around .260 with 30+ HR and 100+ RBI. I see no reason he cant be that type of player. Yes, he'll strike out a lot but not everyone is Albert Pujols.

Post #14 » by **PhilipNelsonFan** » Sun Aug 12, 2007 9:09 pm

OT, I know, but I'd just like to say that I have no respect for Scott Spiezio as a human being. He doesn't deserve either championship ring he has and he conned the Mariners out of a giant FA contract while simultaneously attempting to detox from steroids.

I'm loving what Rick Ankiel's doing (it's a fun if overplayed story), but it's even sweeter that he's replacing Spiezio while he goes on roid rehab.

Sberl · Post #15 » by **Sberl** » Sun Aug 12, 2007 9:22 pm

Are we sure that's about steroids?

Post #16 » by **PhilipNelsonFan** » Sun Aug 12, 2007 9:31 pm

Sberl wrote:Are we sure that's about steroids?

Probably not, although they're not gonna say what it was about.

Sberl · Post #17 » by **Sberl** » Sun Aug 12, 2007 9:42 pm

My thought is that Spiezio was abusing drugs because he was scared about his hand infection that sidelined him....like a psychological reaction. But it the Cardinals say nothing about it...we can't know.

Post #18 » by **pacerfan** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 6:42 am

Tiggo Bitties wrote: Ignore his hitting for a second...

His ability to play the outfield is key and he's shown SO much in that regard. I would be more then happy with an above average defensive outfielder that hits around .260 with 30+ HR and 100+ RBI. I see no reason he cant be that type of player. Yes, he'll strike out a lot but not everyone is Albert Pujols.

Well said and good point. Damn I hope this works out for Rick.