conspiracy theory

by amettrick on Mar 20, 2006 6:12 PM EST Comment 7 comments

Alright so I really don't have anything to back this up. It's just a thought that came to me the other day, and I figured I'd share it.

Could Rick Ankiel's injury this spring be a hoax? Could the Cardinals be faking his injury in order to increase their chances of passing him through waivers come the end of spring training? It sounds kind of silly and unlikely, but the more I think about it the more plausable it seems. If Ank doesn't get into any gmaes this spring, it gives the other teams less to go on when trying to decide if they want to claim him or not. If they think he's one of those players that can't stay healthy, maybe they won't bother taking a chance on him. It seems like the Cards already knew he wouldn't have a chance to make the big league team and might be trying to sneak him through waivers by listing him as injured and unable to play and not letting other teams get a good look at what he can do this spring.

Of course, it's also very possible that he's just injured (again) and nothing more. It also still seems like it would stupid for a team not to scoop him up if given the chance. He might be too old to really be a prospect, but he still has quite a bit of upside.

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eh

I'm still bitter that someone with an arm like that wakes up and one day casually decides to inform the team who has been nursing him along for 2 years (or however many it was at the time) that he "doesn't want to pitch anymore".

Never really have been that interested him after that...seemed like he'd just been wasting everyone's time. The whole situation kind of left a bitter taste in my mouth.

I know I'm prolly the only person in the world that thinks that but I do. I really don't give a hoot what happens to him.

by azruavatar on Mar 20, 2006 6:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Actually--

I agree. Unless he'd suddenly become an indispensable outfielder/power hitter overnight, I couldn't care less. I think I invested too much emotion into him when he was still trying to pitch. Like you, once he quit--my interest in him pretty much disappeared.

by rockin redbird on Mar 20, 2006 6:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

so

when he gets a shot and hits a couple of dingers you can just sit there and not clap or enjoy it.you must be a cubs fan.

by sportsmanspark78 on Mar 21, 2006 3:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Flub fan?

You better be saying that with a smile. And yes, when he hits a couple dingers I will enjoy it and be happy for him. I just won't be tying myself up in knots over his troubles anymore. If he can make something of himself at the dish, great--another solid bat is always useful. If he can't, that's fine too. Whatever. My expectations, and my level of probable disappointment, are now zero where he's concerned. If that makes me less of a Birdfan in some people's eyes, well, it is a hard life out there--don't think I'll be losing any sleep over it.

by rockin redbird on Mar 21, 2006 4:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

that's what's happend

the last couple of years.People get over Rick and his pitching.He blew up it's over.I was Rick biggest fan but hey the kid couldn't take it.I'm glad he has some kick in that bat and can play OF.

by sportsmanspark78 on Mar 21, 2006 3:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

He's just

a ballplayer. It's not like he's running for office or anything. If he makes it, great; if not, no sweat off my nose.

by cardsrul on Mar 21, 2006 5:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

That arm

is still what might make him at least a bench player in the ML's. It's apparently unbelievably strong from the OF and most ironically, very accurate. It's a shame that his left arm throws a ball that has too much sink on it to be able to thow BP cannot be used in the majors...

I could see him being a So Taguchi + power kind of a guy.

Back to the original topic--it makes sense. He wasn't going to make the ML team and being in spring training isn't really going to help him that much in the long run of the season anyway in terms of development. But couldn't they have just not brought him to ST in the first place?

A diamond is just a lump of coal that performed well under pressure

by joker24 on Mar 25, 2006 1:26 AM EST reply actions 0 recs