Rick Ankiel

Determination

I'm not a Redbird fan nor was I a Ankiel fan the first time around, but I am a huge fan the second time around. The kid could have taken his money, and went home and probably had it made if he invested properly. But he went back to single A ball and started over at a totally different position. I have the utmost respect for Rick Ankiel, and for the Cardinals organization for actually giving him the opportunity. This without a doubt proves that if you stick your pride in your back pocket, roll your sleeves up and work hard, and BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, anything is possible and achieveable. Congrats to Rick Ankiel.

 

Does this change your mind at all? http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=jp-ankielhgh090707&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

 

This shouldnt change anyones mind about his accomplishments this year. When he took HGH it was prescribed and not banned. Nothing he has done since is cheapened by what he did for 8 months that was not against MLB rules. Did he push the envelope -- absolutely. Was it smart -- absolutely not. Did he violate any MLB rules -- absolutely not.

The determination and character he has shown to come back as a whole different player is just amazing.

P.S. Just wait til the whole HGH story with pitchers comes out. You may not have anybody left to root for except Sid Finch.

 

Does this change your mind??????????

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3009688

 

So you really believe that he became one of the minor league's best power hitters naturally? A former pitcher?

 

Dawgwood, you sure about that?

 

What I think is people are too prone to want to knock people down rather than build them up. Happens in the press as well as on this site all the time and way too much. Innocent until proven guilty as far as I'm concerned.

P.S. Do you know what kind of two-way player he was before becoming a pitcher only?

 

Nobody has knocked anyone down. Someone above simply posted a story without personal comments. I believe in innocent until proven guilty also. But if it turns out to be true I will be disappointed, and for me it takes some luster off of the story.

 

It will for me too.

 

It should be noted here that steriods and human growth hormones are commonly prescribed by doctors to patients that have had all types of reconstructive surgeries. If in fact he received them as part of his rehabilitation, I see no reason for this conversation.