Rick Ankiel making a comeback

by stillmonster on Jun 18, 2007 8:45 PM EDT Comment 16 comments

This is my first diary, and it has nothing to do with the Yankees, so for that I apologize. However, this story is too good to pass up. Apparently the Cardinals are considering bringing up Rick Ankiel (now an outfielder) around the All-Star Break. He is tied for the HR lead in the Pacific Coast League with 19, has 52 RBI in 57 games, and is hitting .282. I never thought we would hear from him again when he converted to an outfielder, but apparently he has developed quite nicely. As the story says, if Ankiel were to make it as a major league outfielder it would be another feel good story along the lines of Josh Hamilton. Ankiel is still only 27 and should have good years left in him if he can produce.

(scroll down the page to "Prospect Watch")
http://fantasysports.yahoo.com/analysis/news?slug=bf-skinny_061807&prov=yhoo&type=lgns&l eague=fantasy/mlb

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I really

don't get why Josh Hamilton is a feel good story ( I know most people in baseball are saying that). He was a drug addict that almost ruined his ability to play ball. No one that is sober/non addict is portrayed as a feel good story. I guess when Dukes stops banging 12 year olds, it will be a feel good story also.

Pride, Power, Wildcard?

by ReLaunch on Jun 18, 2007 9:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Because we resent perfection

We search for flaws in the Arods and Jeters of the world. We love a tale of redemption because we have flaws of our own.
We want our heroes to be human.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Jun 19, 2007 1:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks, but

that is complete nonsense. Crack heads shouldn't become heroes. How about if you were a crack head and everyone knew about it. You have been clean for a small amount of time and now are applying for jobs. Do you think your employer will hire you because you are a feel good story?

Its great to know the Dukes has flaws, Bradley has flaws. When Dukes stops threatening to kill his baby moma, I guess that will also be a feel good story.

Pride, Power, Wildcard?

by ReLaunch on Jun 19, 2007 6:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Having worked with junkies

who were trying to get their lives back together, yes.
I'm not saying you take everyone. Yes, it would be nice if we celebrated guys who never screwed up, but sports are theater and writers are always looking for a trusty storyline.
Dukes has other issues; he'll probably never be called a "feel good story".
But the addictive power of hard drugs adds another dimension to it. And it's so easy for a junkie to not really fight their addiction, to not get clean, that when one does it's a triumph. Sorry for you if you don't feel that way.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Jun 19, 2007 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Clarification

"worked with" as in employed together, not "worked with" as a social worker type.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Jun 19, 2007 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know alot

of people that have had drug problems. Yes, its good when they overcome them, but its not a feel good story.

Pride, Power, Wildcard?

by ReLaunch on Jun 19, 2007 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

"feel good" story

my mom worked with recovering addicts when i was younger, and i think we treat these as "feel-good stories" (although i hate that term) because it is damn hard to kick the habit. alcohol and drugs are really insidious addictions, and it's tough as hell to stay sober (see also strawberry, darryl).

that being said, i think any guy who can overcome adversity and get back to a career in the majors is worthy of a little admiration, as long as he can keep it together. it's inspiring to other people trying to beat addictions.

proud of the pinstripes tradition and dedicated to the pursuit of excellence. a yankee forever.

by nyy23girl on Jun 19, 2007 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

that is

easy to say. Baseball picks and chooses who they want as feel good stories. Sometimes people do the same things, but one is a feel good, the other is a scum bag. Most of the time, I believe, its because of the race of the player.

Pride, Power, Wildcard?

by ReLaunch on Jun 19, 2007 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Possible

I'm with firejoemorgan.com in thinking that it's only white guys who get to be "gamers" or "gritty".
I haven't paid enough attention to that aspect of the game to have an opinion on it.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Jun 19, 2007 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs