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| Height: 6-1
Weight: 215
Throws: L
Bats: L Born: Jul 19, 1979, Fort Pierce, FL |
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| Profile | Player News | Articles | Split Stats | Game Log | Eligibility | Player Comparison |
| 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 |
| Player Notes |
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November 6, 2008 The Cardinals are willing to deal Rick Ankiel for the right offer, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Our View:The Cardinals have a surplus of solid outfielders, including future starter Colby Rasmus, and view Ankiel as expendable to improve their pitching staff and middle infield. Ankiel crushed 25 homers over 120 games in 2008. |
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September 17, 2008 Rick Ankiel will undergo surgery today to repair a sports hernia, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Our View:Rehab is projected to take four to five weeks, officially ending his season. Ankiel never landed on the DL due to the ailment. |
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September 13, 2008 Rick Ankiel won't play again this season and is likely to undergo surgery to repair the lower abdominal issue that has bothered him for nearly two months, according to MLB.com. Ankiel visited a specialist on Friday and was diagnosed with a sports hernia. Recovery time from surgery would be five weeks. "It's no surprise, because he has been a long time with it and has not really improved," said manager Tony La Russa. "He hasn't been pushing it, but he keeps continuing to feel it, so there's something there." Our View:July was Ankiel's most productive month, but he has been awful since August, so it's clear this has hampered him at the plate. He should make a full recovery and be ready for spring training next year. |
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September 12, 2008 The AP reports that Rick Ankiel met with a specialist in Philadelphia on Friday and is likely to have surgery soon to remedy his abdominal injury, which is believed to be a sports hernia. Our View:In 120 games this season, Ankiel delivered 25 home runs, but just five since the All-Star break. For the season, he slugged .506. Expect the former pitcher to return next season and be a fantasy starter in the outfield. |
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September 10, 2008 Rick Ankiel continues to be hampered by his ab injury and as a result he will be sidelined at least for the next couple of days, and his season could be in jeopardy, according to MLB.com. "I'm not sure how much more Ank's going to play," manager Tony La Russa said. "He's just not getting better...We'll get him checked and see what's the smartest thing to do." Our View:Ankiel's great story will likely end with a whimper after a tremendous start to the season. Still, with 25 home runs this season, Ankiel is one of only two players in baseball history to hit 25 home runs in a season while making 25 starts on the hill in the other. Oh yeah, you might have heard of the other guy, his name is Babe Ruth. |
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September 6, 2008 Rick Ankiel said his abdominal strain is "not getting worse," but implies it is not getting better either, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He continues to play through lingering soreness, and batted cleanup Friday. Our View:Ankiel only hit .180 in August, and is hitless over his two outings so far in September. He only has one homer over his last nine games as well. |
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August 31, 2008 Rick Ankiel is still dealing with abdominal pain that will likely hamper him the remainder of the season, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "All I've got to do is get a hint that (playing him) is not in his best interest and I'll shut him down," manager Tony LaRussa said. Our View:Be wary of what LaRussa said if Ankiel is a member of your fantasy team. Not only that, but he is in a deep funk, having gone five for his last 40. |
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August 30, 2008 Rick Ankiel went 1-for-4 with a three-run homer in Saturday's 8-5 loss to the Astros. Our View:His homer was his 25th of the season. He should remain a favorable source of power during the stretch run in September. |
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August 28, 2008 Rick Ankiel is still bothered by his strained abdominal muscle, and only has four hits over his last 36 at-bats (.111), according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The injury has also limited him to three homers and nine RBI in the month of August. Manager Tony La Russa is concerned that the injury could be a more serious ailment like the sports hernia for which Chris Duncan eventually had to have surgery last year. After participating in early batting practice Wednesday, Ankiel went to a doctor to be checked before returning to the ballpark. Our View:The Cardinals have an off day today, and the Houston Astros will pitch lefthanders Friday and Sunday against the Cardinals, so Ankiel (struggling against lefthanders as of late) likely will sit. That will afford him extra time to rest. He feels his swing is fine, and just cannot run at 100 percent. Hopefully he can finish the season strong over the final month when fantasy owners need him the most. |
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August 20, 2008 Rick Ankiel went deep for the 24th time of the season and also walked as the Cardinals won 11-2 over the Pirates. Our View:Ankiel has had a tough August as he has been dealing with a strained abdominal muscle. Still, he possesses the power to hit the long ball at any time and is useful for fantasy owners of all formats. |
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August 15, 2008 Rick Ankiel hit a two-run homer Friday in his fourth game since returning to the starting lineup following a bout with a strained abdominal muscle. Our View:It was Rick's first homer since July 18, and he seems poised to make a run at 30 homers. |
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August 11, 2008 Rick Ankiel wasted little time in making his mark in his return to the starting lineup as he went 2-for-3 with a runs scored and an RBI for the Cardinals. Our View:The only thing that Ankiel did wrong on this night was that he committed two errors as he was playing the unfamiliar position of left field. Get him back in your lineup as the stroke appears ready for prime time. |
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August 11, 2008 Rick Ankiel returned to the Cardinals starting lineup on Monday night after not starting for 14 games because an abdominal strain, according to MLB.com. He was starting in left field with the hopes of that being a little less stressful than playing center. Our View:Ankiel has appeared multiple times as a pinch hitter as the team kept him active for the stick (he was 2-for-6 with two walks). Ankiel has been a power bat this season with 22 home runs and a .540 SLG, and should return to being the same type of hitter if he truly is healthy. |
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August 11, 2008 Rick Ankiel is questionable for Monday's game against the Marlins due to his abdominal strain, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Our View:He is still seeing time as a pinch-hitter, but has not started a game since July 26 due to the ailment. His last home run came on July 18 against San Diego. |
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August 10, 2008 Rick Ankiel could return to the Cardinals' starting lineup Monday, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Our View:Ankiel has been a solid soure of power with 22 homers, and should be penciled back into fantasy lineups for the new week. |
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August 9, 2008 Cardinals outfielder Rick Ankiel did not play yesterday against Chicago, but he did pinch hit, and he may suit up today, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "It's just not quite there yet. We'll see about tomorrow," Ankiel said. Our View:Ankiel has been out almost two weeks with a strained abdomen, playing sparingly here and there. His totals have certainly been a boon for fantasy owners, and he should be back hitting homers for them in no time. |
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August 8, 2008 Rick Ankiel,out of the starting lineup for almost two weeks since straining his abdomen, will likely return to the starting lineup on Saturday after going through a full workout on Friday, according to MLB.com. Our View:Ankiel has made six pinch-hit appearances since being injured and appears to avoided a trip to the DL in so doing. With 22 home runs, Ankiel still has plenty of time to record 30 home runs on the season, a great total for a guy who used to be a pitcher don't you think? |
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August 6, 2008 Rick Ankiel continues to feel pain when he runs and manager Tony La Russa said it is doubtful he'll play during this three-game series against the Dodgers, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Our View:He has been diagnosed with an abdominal strain, and Tuesday marked the ninth straight game he has not started in the lineup. He is still seeing some action as a pinch-hitter, but hasn't hit a homer since July 18. |
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August 2, 2008 Rick Ankiel, who is recovering from a sore abdomen, could return to the Cardinals' lineup as early as Tuesday, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Our View:Ankiel has been a solid source of power with 22 homers over 93 games, and fantasy owners should be able to pencil him back into lineups next week. |
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July 31, 2008 Rick Ankiel missed his fourth straight game Wednesday and isn't expected to play Thursday, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. However, Manager Tony La Russa indicated that Ankiel, who is dealing with an abdominal strain, could be good to go Friday. Our View:The Cards are beating up on the downtrodden Braves without Ankiel's services, but they may need him this weekend against the Phillies. |
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July 29, 2008 The Cardinals didn't place Rick Ankiel on the DL Monday, but the outfielder missed his second straight game and the team isn't sure when he'll return to the starting lineup, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Ankiel is dealing with an abdominal strain. Manager Tony La Russa said Ankiel has little discomfort swinging a bat, but that the outfielder "can't run." Our View:Nick Stavinoha was brought up Monday to give the Cards some outfield insurance, but he's a candidate to be sent back down Wednesday when Chris Carpenter is activated from the DL. The team is probably hoping Ankiel will be ready to play by then. |
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July 28, 2008 Rick Ankiel is out of the lineup for the second straight game since feeling an abdominal strain late in Saturday's game. Our View:No word yet how serious the injury is, but we have seen ab strains keep players out as much as three weeks. Ankiel has been amongst the best hitters for the Cardinals this season. |
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July 27, 2008 Rick Ankiel was held out of Sunday's lineup due to an abdominal strain, according to Cardinals.com. Our View:He sustained the injury Saturday night during battle with the Mets at Shea Stadium. The club is unsure if he will be able to pinch-hit if needed. |
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July 18, 2008 Rick Ankiel went 3-for-5, hit his twenty-second home run of the season and drove in three runs in St. Louis' 11-7 win over San Diego. Our View:Ankiel is having a monster July, and hit his seventh home run of the month. Keep him in the lineup while he is on this hot streak. |
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July 17, 2008 Rick Ankiel hit his 13th home run since June 10th on Thursday. He was 2-for-4 in the game. Our View:Ankiel has solidified himself as one of the top outfield producers in the National League. |
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July 14, 2008 Rick Ankiel's left ankle is fine, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He injured the ankle on Saturday night, but by Sunday he felt to ready to play. Our View:Manager Tony La Russa opted to leave him out of the lineup Sunday, to protect his ankle from what was expected to be rainy field conditions and also to get Chris Duncan and Skip Schumaker in the lineup. Ankiel will be safe to return to your lineups after the All-Star break. He has 20 homers and 50 RBI so far over 83 games. |
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July 11, 2008 Rick Ankiel went 3-for-3 with a walk on Friday. He hit his 20th home run of the year and picked up three RBI in the process. Our View:Ankiel has hit 10 home runs in his last 21 games and becomes a stronger fantasy player by the game. |
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July 9, 2008 The teams had to fight through rain delays to reach the end, but the Cardinals found a loss at the end, falling 4-2 to the Phillies. The Cards posted just six total hits on the evening with outfielder Rick Ankiel suffering the worst, going 0-for-4 with one walk and three strikeouts on the night. Our View:Fantasy owners hope this is a minor bump in an otherwise successful road through July, hitting .333 on the month coming into this evening with four homers and eight RBIs through seven July games. |
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July 8, 2008 Rick Ankiel hit his 19th home run of the season on Tuesday, a solo shot of Phillies LHP Cole Hamels. It was just his fifth off a lefty this season and already his fourth of July. Our View:Since being called up last August, Ankiel has 30 HR, 85 RBI, 81 R, and a .273 AVG. in just 124 games. Despite inconsistencies, the former pitcher is becoming a stud fantasy league outfielder. |
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July 5, 2008 Rick Ankiel had the game-winning two out, two run single for the Cardinals on Saturday. Ankiel also had two other hits, including his 18th home run, as he knocked in three runs on the day. Our View:Ankiel continues to prove that he is no novelty act; he is a legitimate major league power hitter. He still strikes out a fair amount with 64 K, but given that he is on pace for more than 30 home runs, we can overlook that deficiency. |
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July 2, 2008 The Cards posted eight runs in an offensive marathon with the New York Mets this evening, pulling the victory by one run (that run posted in the bottom of the ninth). Outfielder Rick Ankiel did his part to support the push, going 2-for-5 with his 17th homer of the season, finishing with two RBIs and two runs scored on the night. Our View:Ankiel stepped up in the power categories last month, touting seven homers for 13 RBIs through June. He would like to get his batting average up, but driving in runs has become his weapon of choice. |
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July 1, 2008 Rick Ankiel went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer in Tuesday's 7-4 loss to the Mets. Our View:That was his 16th homer of the season, and his second over his last four games. He extended his hitting streak to eight games as well. Keep him active in your outfield while he's hot. |
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June 28, 2008 Rick Ankiel hit a two-run home run to give the St. Louis Cardinals a 4-0 lead in the sixth inning, and eventually beat Kansas City 5-1 on Saturday night. Our View:Ankiel hit his 15th home run of the season, but still well behind his 2007 pace. |
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June 25, 2008 Rick Ankiel went deep twice for the Cardinals in their 8-7 loss to the Tigers in a rain delayed game. Our View:The man has a sweet swing when he stays within himself, and on this night he scored three runs while knocking in three. With Ankiel rounding back into form and Albert Pujols almost ready to return, the Cardinals offense could be on the verge of causing some serious damage. |
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June 19, 2008 Rick Ankiel hit his 11th home run, but it wasn't enough as the Cardinals dropped their third straight to Kansas City 4-1 on Thursday afternoon. Our View:Ankiel has been slumping as of late and it's affected the Cardinals ability to score. St. Louis has scored three or fewer runs in six of eight games since Albert Pujols went on the 15-day disabled list with a left calf strain. |
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June 11, 2008 Center fielder Rick Ankiel, who returned to the lineup for the first time on Tuesday night since leaving the club last Thursday with an infected right knee, hit a home run in his second plate appearance. Our View:Ankiel had missed the entire series in Houston and after last night's injury to Albert Pujols (calf) the Cards will need him to stay healthy and supply some much needed power to the middle of the order. |
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June 10, 2008 Rick Ankiel has been cleared to return to the Cardinals' lineup Tuesday, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Our View:He missed seven straight contests due to an infection in his right knee. He could play tonight against Cincinnati. |
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June 8, 2008 Rick Ankiel remained in St. Louis on Saturday to receive treatment on a cellulitis infection in his right knee, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. However, Ankiel will meet the team in Cincinnati Tuesday and is expected to be available to play then. Our View:This ailment has lingered a bit longer than expected, but it sounds like a return is on the horizon. |
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June 6, 2008 Rick Ankiel did not travel with the team to Houston but instead flew to St. Louis to meet with with team doctors about the infection in his right knee, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The outfielder has been unavailable for several days because of swelling and irritation in his knee. Our View:Manager Tony La Russa said he's unsure if Ankiel will rejoin the team this weekend in Houston. We'll let you know what the doctor says. |
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June 6, 2008 The Rick Ankiel updates continue to surface. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported on Friday morning that the Cardinals center fielder underwent a second examination between games of Thursday's doubleheader. After staying at the team's hotel during the afternoon game, Ankiel was examined before departing with the club for Houston. Manager Tony La Russa told the paper the infection had shown progress and that Ankiel might play this weekend. Our View:La Russa said Ankiel was not suffering from a staph infection, but his playing status for this weekend remains a question. |
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June 4, 2008 Updating an earlier report, Rick Ankiel has contracted an infection in his right knee, this according to the team website. The center fielder will not play tonight after being sent back to the Cardinals' team hotel this afternoon. The team has not commented on Ankiel's status moving forward. Our View:Ankiel sustained scrapes on both his left hand and his knee when he made a sensational diving catch in Sunday's home game against Pittsburgh. His dive took him on the graveled warning track which resulted in several deep abrasions. |
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June 4, 2008 Rick Ankiel was not in the lineup on Tuesday, but Manager Tony LaRussa mentioned that he may be in action tonight against lefty John Lannan and the Nationals, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Our View:Ankiel sustained a sizable abrasion to his left hand while making a diving catch on the Busch Stadium warning track Saturday, and his hand remained bandaged on Tuesday. No stitches were needed to close the wound. |
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June 2, 2008 Rick Ankiel was not in the lineup on Monday because of the matchup against left-hander Tom Gorzelanny, MLB.com reports. Manager Tony La Russa explains that Ankiel didn't sit due to the injury he suffered on his left hand on Sunday. Our View:Ankiel is a career .276 hitter with a .504 slugging percentage against southpaws, so that makes perfect sense. Or not. We imagine the injury had something to do with La Russa's decision. Ankiel is day-to-day. |
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May 21, 2008 Rick Ankiel missed a fourth consecutive start Tuesday night while his strained right shoulder continues to heal, but could be back in action very soon, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Manager Tony La Russa speculated based on trainer’s reports that Ankiel could play in Friday’s series opener against the Dodgers. Our View:Ankiel has not swung a bat since hurting himself on a swing last Friday against the Rays. Wait until he returns to the Cardinals' lineup and proves to be effective before starting him again. |
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May 19, 2008 The St Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Rick Ankiel said he was feeling better on Sunday night, and team doctors suggested the Cardinals outfielder could recover from a strained right shoulder without losing 15 days to the disabled list. Our View:Manager Tony La Russa listed Ankiel as available for Sunday’s game but doubted that he could do anything more than run and play in the field. The Cardinals center fielder is a risky start in Fantasy Week 8. |
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May 18, 2008 Rick Ankiel will not be placed on the DL due to his injured right shoulder as the team will give him a couple of days of rest instead, according to MLB.com. "He can't swing 100 percent when it's aggravated, so we're going to try to get him well," manager Tony La Russa said. Our View:The good news is that it isn't his throwing shoulder, the bad news is that it's his lead arm on his swing. Look for the team to go with Chris Duncan, Ryan Ludwick and Skip Schumaker until Ankiel returns, hopefully within about a weeks time. |
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May 18, 2008 St. Louis outfielder Rick Ankiel will miss his second consecutive game today due to an ailing left shoulder, according to the Associated Press. Our View:Team physician Dr. George Paletta had indicated hopes to see Ankiel return after a short rest, giving the Cardinals support in avoiding the 15-day disabled list for Ankiel. The pitcher-turned-outfielder took an awkward swing on Friday night, according to manager Tony LaRussa, and tweaked the shoulder. He is batting .285 with seven home runs and 21 RBIs over 40 games this season. Skip Schumaker will get the start in his stead. |
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May 7, 2008 According to the Denver Post, Rick Ankiel went from throwing strikes, to having trouble throwing stikes -- and in turn became a center fielder. However, he had no problem throwing from the outfield Tuesday night. In the first inning, Ankiel caught Todd Helton's drive to center, then nailed Willy Taveras on a perfect throw to third to complete the inning-ending double play. In the eighth, he gunned down Omar Quintanilla, who appeared to have an easy triple. "I was shocked he threw me out," Quintanilla said. Our View:Ankiel is a great story, one that will eventually have a movie. For now, fantasy owners have gotten everything they could have asked for from the Cardinals outfielder. The left-handed hitter has 21 runs, 18 RBI, six home runs and is batting .277 on the season. |
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April 30, 2008 Rick Ankiel had three hits in three AB on Wednesday to knock in two runs and push his average up to .290. Our View:Ankiel continues his riches to rags to riches career path. Currently a solid option in mixed leagues, Ankiel seems to have adjusted very well to the way that teams are trying to pitch to him this year as he continues to be a solid outfield bat. |
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April 28, 2008 Rick Ankiel hit his fifth home run of the season on Monday but it wasn't enough as the Cardinals fell to the Reds, 4-3. Our View:Ankiel is hitting .250 with 15 runs and 12 RBI on the season. |
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April 22, 2008 If any player is upset with his performance in the Cardinals' 8-9 loss to Milwaukee, it has to be CF Rick Ankiel, going 1-for-4 at the plate to leave four men on base. Our View:Ankiel started the season hot as could be but has since gone cold, sporting just three hits, zero RBIs, three walks, and five strike outs over his last six games. |
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April 10, 2008 Rick Ankiel continues to swing a mean stick, going 2-for-5 with a double (his third of the year) and two RBIs in the Cardinals’ 6-4 win over Houston. Ankiel is now hitting .314 on the season and shows a great ability to keep it going as you ponder his value for the rest of the season. |
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April 8, 2008 Rick Ankiel is likely to move from the number two spot down to the clean-up spot in the Cardinals' order today, according to MLB.com. For the first time in five games, the Cardinals will face a right-handed starting pitcher, which will be Shawn Chacon of Houston. Ankiel is hitting .296 over 27 at-bats, with three homers and six RBI. He will be in position to add to his RBI totals nicely from the clean-up spot in the solid Cardinals' offense. |
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April 7, 2008 Rick Ankiel hit his third home run of the season in Sunday's win over the Nationals. Ankiel has been a big part of the Cardinals early season success. The team has rattled off five straight after losing on opening day. Despite beginning the season with Joel Pineiro, Mark Mulder, Matt Clement and Chris Carpenter on the disabled list, the Cardinals have pitched, and hit (thanks in great part to Ankiel), and their 5-1 record is their best start since 2000. The Cardinals center fielder was 2-for-4 Sunday and is hitting .348 on the season. |
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April 4, 2008 Rick Ankiel hit a mammoth two-run homer in Friday's win over Washington. It's the pitcher-turned-hitter's second dinger on the year, to go along with four RBI and a .333 batting average. It's still tough to know what to expect from Ankiel. He's sure to go through plenty of rough patches, but his power is absolutely legit. |
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April 2, 2008 Rick Ankiel homered, had two singles, and made a diving catch in the Cardinals victory over the Rockies. Ankiel will certainly have his share of ups and downs this season, but he would still appear to be a hitter with the potential to offer a whole lot of offense from the fifth spot in the Cardinals lineup. |
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April 2, 2008 Rick Ankiel went 0-for-3 against Colorado on Tuesday, but did draw one walk. He enjoyed a solid spring and should generate solid numbers this season, as long as he holds on to his starting job. |
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March 27, 2008 Rick Ankiel had a tough day at the plate against Florida on Thursday as he went 0-for-4 with a strikeout, while leaving seven men on base. His spring average remains strong at .351 and the young slugger has a firm grip on a starting job. |
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March 24, 2008 Rick Ankiel went 2-for-4 on Monday with a double to raise his average to .369 this spring. No matter what the Cards do with the other OF spot this year, they appear to be in good hands with Ankiel and Chris Duncan this season. Given the fact that Ankiel still needs to work on his plate discipline, he had 41 K and just 13 BB last year in 172 AB, his average may be middling when all is said and done but the power appears to be legit. |
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March 14, 2008 Rick Ankiel , viewed as the likely opening-day starter in centerfield for the Cardinals, hit two home runs for a total of four RBIs in St. Louis’ 6-4 win over the Dodgers in Grapefruit League action today, according to the Associated Press. This brings Ankiel’s spring-training batting average to .359 and today’s homers are his second and third of camp. Nothing is certain at this point, but it appears Ankiel is all but inked into the position for opening day. |
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January 18, 2008 Rick Ankiel signed a one-year, $900,000 deal with the Cardinals Thursday, avoiding arbitration. The pitcher-turned-outfielder can make $100,000 more in incentives based on plate appearances. |