Rick Ankiel

Scott is a far superior player to Pie.

4-St. Louis Cardinals: RF-Ryan Ludwick, CF-Rick Ankiel, LF-Skip Schumaker

Undoubtedly, I'd have to categorize this as a "sleeper" group. People seem to be skeptical about Ludwick after his surprising breakout season in '08, but I like his strength and approach to hitting. After bouncing around the league a bit, I think Ludwick's finally found a home, and comfort zone, in St. Louis.

Continue reading "MLB's Top Five Outfields"

He sometimes hits behind Albert, as does Rick Ankiel, and both have benefited from having another guy aboard to drive in. 

Replacing Pujols offensively and defensively will probably be Chris Duncan, who will be a huge step down in both areas. Duncan was expected to continue hitting longballs this season, but failed to do so and was demoted to AAA Memphis to try and find his swing. But he's struggled there, too, with a .160/.300/.240 line in seven games. He's going to have to find that stroke quickly, or he'll suffer along with the Redbirds. And he's merely an adequate defender at first, while Pujols is a Gold Glover.

Continue reading "Bittten by the Injury Bug"

Baseball purists--and my brother in particular--may have freaked out when I suggested in my post of May 7 that all leagues adopt the DH. This is one of the Great Debates of the Modern Game, and I enter it whenever possible. Nobody seems on the fence on this issue; everyone either loves it or hates it. Me, I love it.

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lete.  That is where you are wrong.  Quickly, let’s look at the remarkable story of Rick Ankiel.  Here is a man who use to pitch in majors and at one point threw four straight balls at the back stop against the Chicago Cubs.  Ankiel started to have a tear on his elbow.  He was going to have the Tommy John surgery.  So he decided he needed to take some magic potion A.K.A. HGH to make his arm reattach to his elbow and have it heal quicker.  (Sounds like someone we know.  Dare I say Andy Pettite) He then decides to switch to the outfield position where he found his hitting stroke and his career was rejuvenated.   Even if HGH did not help him, it is just the fact that he took it hurts all credibility of a good player he actually is.  That is where Bonds comes in.  Even if steroids and HGH did not help Bonds, it is just knowing that he took it hurts all the accomplishments he has achieved.  It makes you think what his career would be like without taking all that stuff.  I know he wouldn’t be where he is today.

Continue reading "Bonds or Clemens? Who Will play in 2008?"