Ankiel's story doesn't feel so good now

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Kevin Brewer
September 10, 2007

Rick Ankiel was the feel-good story of the summer.

But after the New York Daily News reported Friday that Ankiel received a 12-month supply of human growth hormone in 2004 from a Florida pharmacy that was part of a national illegal prescription drug-distribution operation, a lot of people didn't feel as good.

That's their fault.

Fans and sportswriters glommed onto Ankiel's story like it was a magic elixir during the Summer of Barry.

As a 20-year-old rookie pitcher in 2000, Ankiel won 11 games for the St. Louis Cardinals. But in the playoffs, he became the first pitcher to throw five wild pitches in one inning since 1890.

Ankiel never found the plate again and eventually had Tommy John surgery in 2004.

In 2005, he quit as a pitcher to become an outfielder.

That decision paid off this season. Ankiel had nine home runs and 29 RBI in 25 games for the Cardinals through Saturday night.

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