Simply and dramatically put, Ankiel is the Cardinals’ Hamlet. He was a tortured soul capable of...

Simply and dramatically put, Ankiel is the Cardinals’ Hamlet. He was a tortured soul capable of sheer brilliance. A compelling and riveting story that didn’t end well. And, ultimately, a personality most will wish they could have known — or rather, understood — better. Ankiel’s career as a Cardinal is one of the most remarkable reinventions in baseball, but it is also a story of talent unrealized. That is his legacy. Not just the roman-candle pitching talent who burned bright before burning out. Not just the outfielder. Not just the HGH admission, or the playoff wild pitches or even the seven-RBI magic on Sept. 6, 2007. How he’ll be remembered as a Cardinal is all of that, all that he was, but also all he didn’t become.

The legacy of Rick Ankiel in St. Louis, STL P-D

This is exactly why I like Derrick Goold. This sums up my feelings about Rick Ankiel perfectly. This installment of The Watercooler also includes some interesting insights by Kevin Wheeler and a surprising lack of compassion from Bernie. Of course, Strauss had to get in a parting shot because waaaaahh, nobody wanted to talk to him.

over 2 years ago andi_k 14 comments 1 recs |

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i saw the Hamlet quote and thought it was very apt.

good pull, andi.

the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus

by tom s. on Oct 29, 2009 8:21 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks.

Ankiel is fascinating to me (love those head cases that struggle with their talent) and he breaks my heart a little each time I see him play.

I will probably cry if/when I see him in a new uniform.

"She gone! Airplane time! Airplane Time!! AIRPLANE TIME." Boog

"I think those scorers must be from Mars or Venus. Or maybe they're just from that book." --Mike Shannon, 7/09/2009

by andi_k on Oct 30, 2009 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Goold was the first Cards reporter I followed on twitter...

…and still my favorite. Bar-none.

BOYCOTT HASS AVOCADOS

by vexedtechie on Oct 30, 2009 1:39 AM EDT reply actions

read the comments

there is an “Ankiel Gal 2”. she calls colby lazy, and basically not ready to step into rick’s shoes.

I’m guessing there must be an “Ankiel Gal 1” out there (and maybe more). Perhaps the Ankiel Gals could hash it out with RasmusGirl and Clemsongirl on The View or some such local forum – thinking Springer would be asking for too much.

"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."

by cardball on Oct 30, 2009 4:33 AM EDT reply actions