August 10, 2007
HOBBSIAN:
Pitcher turned slugger homers in return to majors (AP, 8/10/07)
In spring training 2005, Rick Ankiel launched his new career as a 26-year-old minor league outfielder. In his first game back in the major leagues, he launched one out of the ballpark. [...]Posted by Orrin Judd at August 10, 2007 8:12 AMAnkiel, who led the Pacific Coast League with 32 homers for Triple-A Memphis, launched a 2-1 curveball from Doug Brocail over the right-field wall in the seventh with an effortless swing that put the Cardinals ahead 5-0.
"I pitched the report," Brocail said. "I have no idea how he hit that ball. It's good to see the kid back, though.
"You know, he wasn't too bad of a pitcher."
"You know, he wasn't too bad of a pitcher."
Dude coulda been another Steve Carlton. As it is, he'll be lucky to be another Steve Balboni. But he's still rich, and is a baseball legend in his own way...
Posted by: b at August 10, 2007 11:31 AMNice story.
Amazing that Memphis is in the Pacific Coast League. That must be quite a bus ride.
Posted by: Bob at August 10, 2007 11:48 AMSo are Nashville, New Orleans, Omaha, Des Moines, and Round Rock, Texas. Truth in labeling indeed.
Posted by: Kelly at August 10, 2007 6:06 PM