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{{short description|American baseball player (born 1979)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2015}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name       = Rick Ankiel
|image      = Rick Ankiel (2687725648) (cropped).jpg
|image_size = 
|caption    = Ankiel with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2008
|position   = [[Center fielder]] / [[Pitcher]]
|bats       = Left
|throws     = Left
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1979|7|19}}
|birth_place= [[Fort Pierce, Florida]], U.S.
|debutleague= MLB
|debutdate  = August 23
|debutyear  = 1999
|debutteam  = St. Louis Cardinals
|finalleague= MLB
|finaldate  = June 8
|finalyear  = 2013
|finalteam  = New York Mets
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label = [[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
|stat1value = .240
|stat2label = [[Home run]]s
|stat2value = 76
|stat3label = [[Run batted in|Runs batted in]]
|stat3value = 251
|stat4label = [[Win–loss record (pitching)|Win–loss record]]
|stat4value = 13–10
|stat5label = [[Earned run average]]
|stat5value = 3.90
|stat6label = [[Strikeout]]s
|stat6value = 269
|teams =
* [[St. Louis Cardinals]] ({{mlby|1999}}–{{mlby|2001}}, {{mlby|2004}}, {{mlby|2007}}–{{mlby|2009}})
* [[Kansas City Royals]] ({{mlby|2010}})
* [[Atlanta Braves]] ({{mlby|2010}})
* [[Washington Nationals]] ({{mlby|2011}}–{{mlby|2012}})
* [[Houston Astros]] ({{mlby|2013}})
* [[New York Mets]] ({{mlby|2013}})
|medaltemplates=
{{MedalSport | Men's [[baseball]]}}
{{MedalCountry | {{USA}}}}
{{MedalCompetition | [[18U Baseball World Cup|World Junior Baseball Championship]]}}
{{MedalBronze| {{baseball year|1996}} [[Sancti Spíritus]] | [[United States national under-18 baseball team|Team]]}}
}}
'''Richard Alexander Ankiel''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|æ|ŋ|k|iː|l}}; born July 19, 1979) is an American former professional [[baseball]] [[center fielder]] and [[pitcher]]. He spent most of his [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) career with the [[St. Louis Cardinals]], but also played for the [[Kansas City Royals]], [[Atlanta Braves]], [[Washington Nationals]], [[Houston Astros]], and [[New York Mets]].

Ankiel was a pitcher with the Cardinals from 1999 until 2001 when he found himself unable to throw strikes consistently. After trying to regain his pitching form in the minor leagues and briefly returning to the majors in 2004, he switched to the outfield in early 2005. For two and a half years, he honed his skills as a hitter and fielder in the Cardinals' minor-league system. He returned to the Cardinals on August 9, 2007. As a Cardinal until 2009, Ankiel hit 47 home runs as an outfielder and two as a pitcher. After the 2009 season, Ankiel became a free agent. Subsequently, he was signed by the Royals and later was traded to the Braves.

Ankiel became the first player after [[Babe Ruth]] to win at least 10 games as a pitcher and also hit at least 70 home runs. Ankiel is also the only player other than Ruth to both start a postseason game as a pitcher and hit a home run in the postseason as a position player. His change of position, and the fact that he played for six teams in a five-season span, suggest that Ankiel's playing history represents "one of the stranger careers in baseball history" in the words of journalist Barry Petchesky.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://deadspin.com/the-mets-sign-rick-ankiel-504767974 |title=The Mets Sign Rick Ankiel |website=Deadspin.com |last=Petchesky |first=Barry |date=May 13, 2013 |access-date=March 6, 2014}}</ref>

==Early life and amateur career==
Ankiel was one of three children born to Denise and Richard Ankiel Sr. His father worked various odd jobs, was arrested 14 times and convicted 6 times by the time Ankiel was an adult. He described his father as very tough on him, making him run wind sprints if he swung at bad pitches in [[Little League]].<ref name="troubles">{{cite news |last1=Jordan |first1=Pat |title=A Mound of Troubles |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/magazine/home/20010211mag-ankiel.html |access-date=31 March 2023 |work=[[New York Times Magazine]] |date=February 11, 2001}}</ref>

Ankiel attended [[Port St. Lucie High School]] in [[Florida]], where he went 11–1 with a 0.47 [[earned run average]] (ERA) during his senior season, striking out 162 batters in 74 innings pitched,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/bbw/2001-02-07/2001-02-07-cover.htm | title=The playing fields offered an escape | publisher=USA Today | date=February 8, 2001 | access-date=March 6, 2014 | author=Nightengale, Bob}}</ref> and was named the [[USA Today High School Baseball Player of the Year|High School Player of the Year]] by ''USA Today'' in 1997.<ref>{{cite web|title=All-USA High School Baseball Team by USA Today|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/All-USA_Today_High_School_Baseball_Team_Award.shtml|publisher=Baseball Almanac|access-date=March 6, 2014}}</ref>

==Professional career==
The [[St. Louis Cardinals]] selected Ankiel in the second round of the [[1997 Major League Baseball Draft]]. He received a $2.5 million [[signing bonus]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/baseball_signing_bonus.shtml |title=Baseball Signing Bonus |publisher=Baseball Almanac |access-date=2019-04-05}}</ref> In 1998, he was voted the best pitching prospect in both the [[Carolina League|Carolina]] and [[Midwest League]], and was the [[Carolina League]]'s All-Star starting pitcher, ''[[Baseball America]]''{{'}}s first-team Minor League All-Star starting pitcher, and the Cardinals' Minor League Player of the Year. That year, he led all minor league pitchers in strikeouts with 222.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=Rick Ankiel Minor League Statistics & History |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=ankiel001ric |publisher=Baseball-Reference |access-date=2014-03-06}}</ref>

In 1999, Ankiel was named the Minor League Player of the Year by both [[Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year Award|''Baseball America'']] and [[USA Today Minor League Player of the Year Award|''USA Today'']].<ref name="troubles" /> He was also [[Texas League]] All-Star pitcher, Double-A All-Star starting pitcher, Cardinals Minor League Player of the Year,<ref>{{cite web|title=Rick Ankiel Timeline|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3009197|work=ESPN.com|access-date=March 6, 2014|date=September 7, 2007}}</ref> and ''Baseball America'' First Team Minor League All-Star starting pitcher.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wmctv.com/story/6798013/rick-ankiel-lights-up-triple-a-in-memphislooks-for-return-to-majors |title=Rick Ankiel Lights Up Triple-A- in Memphis/Looks for Return to Majors |last=Greer |first=Jarvis |website=wmctv.com |access-date=March 7, 2014 |archive-date=March 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307224427/http://www.wmctv.com/story/6798013/rick-ankiel-lights-up-triple-a-in-memphislooks-for-return-to-majors |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===1999 and 2000 seasons===
Ankiel debuted in 1999 in [[Olympic Stadium (Montreal)|Montreal]], against the [[1999 Montreal Expos season|Expos]]. He pitched his first full season in 2000 at the age of 20 (second youngest player in the league), posting an 11–7 record, a 3.50 [[Earned run average|ERA]] (tenth in the league), and 194 [[strikeout]]s (seventh in the league) in 30 games started.<ref name="data">{{Cite web |title=Rick Ankiel Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/ankieri01.shtml |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> Ankiel threw a 94- to 97-mph [[fastball]], a heavy [[Sinker (baseball)|sinker]], and a fall-off-the-table [[curveball]] that was his main strikeout pitch. He struck out batters at a rate of 9.98 strikeouts per nine innings (second in the [[National League (baseball)|National League]] only to [[Randy Johnson]]), and allowed only 7.05 [[hit (baseball)|hits]] per nine innings (second only to [[Chan Ho Park]]). He came in second (to the [[2000 Atlanta Braves season|Atlanta Braves]]' [[Rafael Furcal]]) in the NL [[Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award#National League winners (1949–present)|Rookie of the Year]] voting.<ref name=data/> He received [[The Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award|''The Sporting News'' Rookie Pitcher of the Year Award]].

===2000 postseason===
The [[2000 St. Louis Cardinals season|Cardinals]] won the [[National League Central]] Division championship in 2000. Injuries to other pitchers left Ankiel and [[Darryl Kile]] as the only fully healthy starters left on the roster. Cardinals manager [[Tony La Russa]] chose Ankiel to start game one of the [[2000 National League Division Series|National League Division Series]] against veteran pitcher [[Greg Maddux]] of the Braves. To shield Ankiel from media pressure, La Russa had Kile answer questions to the media as if to start game one, and afterwards informed the media that Ankiel was starting.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://nypost.com/2000/10/11/kile-might-get-chance-to-be-three-mendous/ | title=Kile Might Get Chance to be Three-mendous | publisher=New York Post | date=October 11, 2000 | access-date=March 6, 2014 | author=Lewis, Brian}}</ref>

In game one, Ankiel did not allow a run through the first two innings. His performance suddenly deteriorated in the third. He allowed four runs on two hits, four walks and throwing five [[wild pitch]]es before being removed with two outs. Despite Ankiel facing eight batters and throwing 35 pitches, the Cardinals won the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN200010030.shtml|title=St. Louis Cardinals 7, Atlanta Braves 5|publisher=[[Retrosheet]]|date=October 3, 2007|access-date=December 14, 2007}}</ref> Ankiel shrugged off the event, joking that he set a record for wild pitches. He was the first pitcher to throw five wild pitches in an inning since [[Bert Cunningham]] of the [[Players' League]] in 1890. Ankiel set the record for wild pitches in a postseason career and postseason inning.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ankiel's wildness peerless |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2000/10/04/ankiel-s-wildness-peerless/ |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}}</ref>

In his next start, game two of the [[2000 National League Championship Series|National League Championship Series]] against the [[2000 New York Mets season|New York Mets]], Ankiel was removed in the first inning after throwing 20 pitches, five of which went past catcher [[Eli Marrero]] (only two were official wild pitches, as no runners were on base for the others), and the first of which sailed over the head of Mets' hitter [[Timo Perez]]. Ankiel appeared again in the seventh inning of game five facing four hitters, walking two and throwing two more wild pitches. The Cardinals lost the series four games to one to the Mets.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rick Ankiel Postseason Pitching Game Logs |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=ankieri01&t=p&year=0&post=1 |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

The source of Ankiel's problems were unknown,<ref>{{cite book|last=Difabbio|first=Ronald|title=The Baseball Gods|date=July 1, 2006|publisher=iUniverse}}</ref> but speculated to be psychological. His father had been sent to federal prison, and his parents were divorced during the 2000 season.<ref name="troubles" /> His loss of control, often called [[yips|the yips]], has been compared to pitcher [[Steve Blass]], who also became unable to consistently throw strikes for unknown reasons. A section of a book about Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, ''Three Nights in August,'' details Ankiel's rise to the big leagues and loss of control as a pitcher in 2000–2001. La Russa has stated that putting Ankiel into Game 1 of the 2000 NLDS was "a decision that perhaps haunts him more than any he has ever made."<ref>''Three Nights in August: Strategy, Heartbreak and Joy Inside the Mind of a Manager'', by Buzz Bissinger, Houghton Mifflin Company; First Mariner Books edition (2006, {{ISBN|978-0-618-71053-9}})</ref>

===Control issues (2001–2004)===
[[File:Rick Ankiel.jpg|250px|thumb|Ankiel with the [[Swing of the Quad Cities]] in 2005]]
Ankiel returned to the majors in 2001 but again had issues controlling his pitches, walking 25 batters and throwing five wild pitches in 24 innings,<ref name=data/> and was sent down to Triple-A. His problems in the minors became dramatic. In {{frac|4|1|3}} innings, Ankiel walked 17 batters and threw 12 wild pitches, accumulating a 20.77 ERA.<ref name=data/> He was demoted all the way down to the Rookie League [[Johnson City Cardinals]], where he was successful as both a starting pitcher, with a 1.33 ERA in 14 starts, and a [[designated hitter]], sporting a .638 slugging percentage with 10 home runs and 35 RBIs in 118 plate appearances.<ref name=":0" /> He was voted Rookie Level Player of the Year, [[Appalachian League]] All-Star left-handed pitcher, Rookie League All-Star starting pitcher, Appalachian League Pitcher of the Year, and Appalachian League All-Star designated hitter.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rick Ankiel MLB, Minor League Baseball Statistics |url=https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/player/4147/#summary |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=The Baseball Cube}}</ref>

In 2002, Ankiel sat out the season due to a left elbow sprain, and was not cleared to throw until December. He returned to the minors in 2003, posting a 6.29 [[Earned run average|ERA]] in 10 starts<ref name=data/> before undergoing season-ending [[Ulnar collateral ligament (elbow)|ulnar collateral ligament]] reconstruction ([[Tommy John surgery]]) for his left elbow in July. In {{frac|54|1|3}} innings, he walked 49 batters and threw 10 wild pitches.<ref name=data/>

Ankiel returned to the majors in September 2004, posting a 5.40 [[Earned run average|ERA]] in five relief appearances. Ankiel's control problems appeared to be gone, as he walked just one while striking out nine in ten innings.<ref name=data/> In the minors, he walked only two batters in {{frac|23|2|3}} innings, while striking out 23. He pitched in the winter [[Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League]], where he felt a "twinge" in his pitching elbow.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2005-03-10 |title=Wild Pitcher Ankiel Will Switch to Outfield |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-mar-10-sp-bbnotes10-story.html |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=}}</ref>

=== Switch to the outfield and knee injury (2005–2006) ===
On March 9, 2005, Ankiel announced that he was switching to the outfield, after a spring training scrimmage in which he threw only three strikes out of 23 pitches.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2006-06-14 |title=Out-fielder: Ankiel's season over with knee injury |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2483461 |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> In the minors in 2005, he continued to be a powerful batter, slugging over .500 in both Single-A and Double-A, with a combined 21 home runs in 55 games. He had a strong arm in the outfield as well, with nine outfield assists.<ref name=":0" />

In 2006, Ankiel was invited to spring training by the Cardinals as an outfielder, with a slim chance to make the team as a reserve player. His fielding impressed scouts and managers, and he had shown flashes of power hitting in the minors. However, he injured his left knee in February and had season-ending surgery on May 26.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/14/AR2006061402441.html | title=Another Setback in Ankiel's Comeback | newspaper=Washington Post | date=June 15, 2006 | access-date=March 6, 2014}}</ref>

===2007 season===
Ankiel was invited to the Cardinals' 2007 spring training and began that season with the Triple-A [[Memphis Redbirds]]. On May 28, 2007, he hit two home runs in a game against the [[Round Rock Express]]. He also hit an RBI double and made an over-the-shoulder catch in deep [[center fielder|center field]] that saved two runs.

Ankiel was named a starting outfielder for the 2007 [[Triple-A All-Star Game]]. Through August 8, he had 32 home runs, 89 RBIs, and was hitting .267, including a three-home run performance on June 16 against the [[Iowa Cubs]]. He was the home run leader in the [[Pacific Coast League]], and tied for second in RBIs. Defensively, Ankiel had seven errors in 95 games.

[[File:Rick Ankiel (1098749633).jpg|thumb|right|Ankiel batting for the [[2007 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis Cardinals in 2007]]]]

====Return to the majors====
On August 9, 2007, the Cardinals promoted Ankiel<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.redorbit.com/news/sports/1028360/cardinals_call_up_ankiel_as_outfielder/|title=Cardinals Call Up Ankiel As Outfielder|author=Jim Salter|publisher=ABC News, ESPN Sports, AP|date=September 9, 2007|access-date=August 29, 2012}}</ref> from Memphis after a roster spot was vacated by [[Scott Spiezio]]'s departure. In his first game, Ankiel batted second and played [[right field]]. In his first at bat, he received a prolonged [[standing ovation]] from the St. Louis crowd. During the seventh inning, he hit a three-run home run off [[Doug Brocail]] to right field to help the Cardinals defeat the [[2007 San Diego Padres season|San Diego Padres]], 5–0. It was his first home run in the majors since April 2000 (as a pitcher), and made him the first player since [[Clint Hartung]] (1947) to hit his first major league home run as a pitcher and then hit a home run as a position player. The player before Hartung who accomplished this was Babe Ruth. After the game, Tony La Russa said that his only happier moment as a Cardinal was when they won the [[2006 World Series]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/recap?gid=270809124 |title=St. Louis 5, San Diego 0 |author=R.B. Fallstrom |publisher=Yahoo! Sports, AP |date=August 9, 2007 |access-date=December 14, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025072305/http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/recap?gid=270809124 |archive-date=October 25, 2012 |df=mdy }}</ref> Two days later, against the [[2007 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Dodgers]] on August 11, Ankiel drew three standing ovations. He had three hits, including two home runs and three RBIs and made a spectacular catch in right field.

Ankiel's comeback led syndicated columnist [[Charles Krauthammer]] to write on August 17:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.townhall.com/Columnists/CharlesKrauthammer/2007/08/17/the_natural_returns_to_st_louis|title=The Natural Returns to St. Louis|author=Charles Krauthammer|publisher=[[Townhall.com]]|date=August 17, 2007|access-date=December 14, 2007|archive-date=January 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109064254/http://townhall.com/columnists/charleskrauthammer/2007/08/17/the_natural_returns_to_st_louis|url-status=dead}}</ref>
{{centered pull quote|His return after seven years—if only three days long—is the stuff of legend. Made even more perfect by the timing: Just two days after [[Barry Bonds]] sets a synthetic [[List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders#List|home run record]] in [[San Francisco]], [[the Natural]] returns to St. Louis.
| author = [[Charles Krauthammer]]
| source = [[Townhall]]
}}

Ankiel hit his first [[grand slam (baseball)|grand slam]] in St. Louis against left-hander [[Eddie Guardado]] of the [[2007 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati Reds]] on August 31 with the team trailing, 4–3, for an 8–5 win that broke a tie with [[Red Schoendienst]] for La Russa for most wins by a Cardinals manager. In a home game against the [[2007 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh Pirates]] on September 6, he recorded his second two–home run game of the season with a 3-for-4, 7-RBI effort, along with an over-the-shoulder catch in deep right field. On September 23, Ankiel had his first [[walk-off home run|walk-off]] hit, a two-run triple to beat the [[2007 Houston Astros season|Astros]] 4–3 on the last ''[[Sunday Night Baseball]]'' game of the season.

Ankiel finished the year with a .285 batting average, 11 home runs, 39 RBIs, a .328 on-base percentage, .535 slugging percentage, and an .863 [[on-base plus slugging|OPS]] in 47 games and 172 at-bats.<ref name=data/> The Cardinals, coming off a [[2006 World Series]] title and three consecutive division championships, finished 2007 with a 78–84 record and missed the playoffs.

Following the season, Ankiel admitted to using [[human growth hormone]] (HGH) but said he was following doctor's orders.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/2007/09/08/2007-09-08_rick_ankiel_says_use_of_hgh_was_doctors_-1.html|title=Rick Ankiel says use of HGH was doctor's orders|author=Roger Rubin|work=[[NY Daily News]]|date=September 8, 2007|access-date=December 14, 2007}}</ref> HGH was not banned by Major League Baseball until 2005.<ref name="conclude">{{cite web|url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071206&content_id=2320597&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071208014246/http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071206&content_id=2320597&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 8, 2007|title=MLB concludes Ankiel investigation|author=Matthew Leach|work=[[MLB.com]]|date=December 6, 2007|access-date=December 14, 2007}}</ref> An MLB investigation concluded that there was insufficient evidence that Ankiel violated the league's drug policy.<ref name="conclude" /><ref>{{cite press release|url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20071206&content_id=2320415&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071208012632/http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20071206&content_id=2320415&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 8, 2007|title=Press Release: Gibbons, Guillen suspended|work=[[MLB.com]]|date=December 6, 2007|access-date=December 14, 2007}}</ref>

===2008 season===
Ankiel helped the Cardinals defeat the [[2008 Colorado Rockies season|Colorado Rockies]] on May 6 by recording two outfield assists and a home run to propel St. Louis to a 6–5 victory. Ankiel, on both assists, threw the ball from deep center field to [[Troy Glaus]] at third on the fly. He finished 2008 with a .264 [[batting average (baseball)|batting average]], 25 [[home run]]s, and 71 [[runs batted in]].<ref name=data/>

===2009 season===
Ankiel was the Cardinals' leading hitter in spring training but struggled at the plate when the season started. During a May 4 game against the [[2009 Philadelphia Phillies season|Philadelphia Phillies]], Ankiel collided with the outfield wall and was carried off the field. The injury was reported as [[whiplash (medicine)|whiplash]], and Ankiel was placed on the [[disabled list]] on May 7.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090507&content_id=4604708&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl|title=Ankiel placed on DL in wake of collision: Outfielder out with shoulder contusion; Robinson called up|work=MLB.com|date=May 7, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090510142149/http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090507&content_id=4604708&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl|archive-date=May 10, 2009|df=mdy-all}}</ref> He was re-activated on May 24.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/6320/gamelog;_ylt=Aib30Bwlk16FIvNqrYOnpKeFCLcF|title=Yahoo Sports 2009 Game Log|publisher=Sports.yahoo.com|access-date=April 1, 2013}}</ref> Ankiel platooned with Colby Rasmus for much of the remainder of the year and finished the season with 11 home runs, 38 RBI, and a .231 batting average.<ref name=data/>

===2010 season===

==== Kansas City Royals ====
On January 5, 2010, Ankiel signed a one-year, $3.25 million contract with the [[Kansas City Royals]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-01-22 |title=Royals land ex-Cardinal Ankiel |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2010/01/22/royals-ankiel |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=SI |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Kaegel |first=Dick |date=January 25, 2012 |title=Ankiel to play center field for Royals |url=http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/7953116 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121022234/http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/7953116 |archive-date=January 21, 2015 |access-date=July 5, 2017 |website=MLB.com |series= |publisher= |department=}}</ref> He began the season as the Royals' starting center fielder but was placed on the disabled list on May 5 with a strained right quadriceps after playing sparingly beginning on April 24.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=5163238|title=Strained quadriceps land Ankiel on DL|date=May 4, 2010|access-date=July 25, 2012|work=ESPN.com|agency=AP}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rick Ankiel Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News |url=https://www.mlb.com/player/rick-ankiel-150449 |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref> He was activated on July 23, and replaced an injured [[David DeJesus]] midway through the game in center field.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/new-york/mlb/news/story?id=5403167|title=Jeter hits 2nd career inside-the-park HR|agency=AP|work=ESPN.com|date=July 23, 2010|access-date=July 25, 2012}}</ref>

==== Atlanta Braves ====
On July 31, Ankiel and reliever [[Kyle Farnsworth]] were traded to the Atlanta Braves for [[Jesse Chavez]], [[Gregor Blanco]], and [[Tim Collins (baseball)|Tim Collins]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=5426623 |title=Royals trade Ankiel, Farnsworth |website=ESPN.com |date=August 1, 2010 |agency=Associated Press |access-date=March 7, 2014}}</ref>

On October 8, in the second game of the [[2010 National League Division Series|2010 NLDS]] against the [[San Francisco Giants]], Ankiel hit his first career postseason home run into [[McCovey Cove]] off Giants reliever [[Ramón Ramírez (Dominican pitcher)|Ramón Ramírez]] in the top of the 11th inning, leading the Braves to a 5–4 win. Ankiel joined Barry Bonds as the only players to hit a ball into the cove in the postseason.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2010/10/9/1739979/giants-vs-braves-nlds-game-2-rick-ankiel-home-run |agency= NLDS |title= Game 2: Rick Ankiel Splashdown Homer In 11th Gives Braves Dramatic Win|author=Jeff Sullivan|date=October 9, 2010|publisher=SB Nation|access-date=October 9, 2010}}</ref> In a television interview after the game, Ankiel called the home run "the pinnacle of anything I've ever done."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ti-ankiel100910|title=Ankiel's wild ride is finally a blast|author=Tim Brown|date=October 9, 2010|publisher=Yahoo! Sports|access-date=October 9, 2010}}</ref> He finished the 2010 season with a .232 batting average, 6 home runs, and 24 RBI in 74 games.<ref name="data" />

On November 2, the Braves declined Ankiel's club option, making him a free agent.<ref>
{{cite news |date=November 2, 2010 |title=Braves keep Gonzalez, Infante, pass on Ankiel, Farnsworth |url=http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/story/14231993/braves-keep-gonzalez-infante-pass-on-ankiel-farnsworth/rss |access-date=February 12, 2011 |work=CBS Sports |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

=== Washington Nationals (2011–2012) ===
[[File:7TH Rick Ankiel.jpg|200px|thumb|Ankiel with the [[2011 Washington Nationals season|Washington Nationals in 2011]] spring training]]
On December 20, 2010, the [[Washington Nationals]] signed him to a one-year, $1.5 million contract.

Ankiel played in 122 games for the Nationals in 2011, hitting .239 with 9 home runs and 37 RBIs while [[Platoon system|platooning]] in center field with [[Roger Bernadina]]. He had a .996 fielding percentage for the season, committing one error in 113 games in the outfield.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=150449#statType=3&sectionType=career&season=2012&gameType='R'&level='ALL'|title=MLB.com - stats|publisher=Mlb.mlb.com|date=June 19, 2012|access-date=April 1, 2013}}</ref>

The Nationals re-signed Ankiel to a one-year, $1.25 million minor league deal for 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rick Ankiel agrees to one-year deal with Washington Nationals|url=http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2012/feb/07/ankiel-agrees-to-one-year-deal-with-nationals/|publisher=Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers|access-date=March 8, 2014|date=February 7, 2012|archive-date=March 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308130552/http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2012/feb/07/ankiel-agrees-to-one-year-deal-with-nationals/|url-status=dead}}</ref> He began the season on the disabled list, rehabbing in the minors. Once promoted, his role was limited as a backup outfielder. In 68 games, he hit .228 with five home runs and 15 RBIs in 158 at-bats. He started 37 games in center field and played 62 total games in center field. On July 19, as Nationals closer [[Drew Storen]] was added to the roster, and Ankiel was [[designated for assignment]] by the Nationals to make room.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/8180813/washington-nationals-activate-drew-storen-designate-rick-ankiel|title=Nationals activate Drew Storen|agency=Associated Press|date=July 19, 2012|work=[[ESPN.com]]|access-date=July 19, 2012}}</ref> On July 27, Ankiel was released by the Nationals.

===2013 season===
[[File:Rick Ankiel on May 21, 2013.jpg|thumb|left|Ankiel with the Mets in 2013]]
On January 17, 2013, the [[2013 Houston Astros season|Houston Astros]] signed Ankiel with an invite to spring training as a non-roster invitee. On March 31, Ankiel homered in the Astros' regular season opener against the [[2013 Texas Rangers season|Texas Rangers]] in [[Houston]]. He was designated for assignment on May 6 and released on May 9.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-05-09 |title=Astros Release Rick Ankiel |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/05/astros-release-rick-ankiel.html |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}</ref>

On May 13, the [[2013 New York Mets season|New York Mets]] signed Ankiel and immediately placed him into their starting lineup. He collected two hits, including a two-run homer, against the [[2013 St. Louis Cardinals season|Cardinals]] in St. Louis on May 15.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130513&content_id=47415748&notebook_id=47416290&vkey=notebook_nym&c_id=nym |title=Ankiel in lineup on first day with the Mets |website=MLB.com |last=DiComo |first=Anthony |date=May 13, 2013 |access-date=March 6, 2014}}</ref>

His offensive production regressed. Following an 0-for-4, three-strikeout performance against the [[2013 Miami Marlins season|Miami Marlins]] on June 8, giving him a combined 60 strikeouts in 128 at-bats for the season, Ankiel was designated for assignment by the Mets. He became a free agent on June 13.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-06-13 |title=Rick Ankiel Elects Free Agency |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/06/rick-ankiel-elects-free-agency.html |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}</ref> In 45 games with the Astros and Mets, he batted .188 with 7 home runs, 18 RBI, and a .422 slugging percentage.<ref name="data" />

===Retirement===
Ankiel announced his retirement from Major League Baseball on March 5, 2014.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/strike-zone/2014/03/05/rick-ankiel-retires-st-louis-cardinals |title=Rick Ankiel retires, closing out his fascinating career |first=Jay |last=Jaffe |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |date=March 5, 2014 |access-date=August 2, 2018}}</ref>

On January 8, 2015, the [[Washington Nationals]] announced that they had hired Ankiel as a "Life Skills Coordinator." In this role, Ankiel mentored players both at the major league level as well as in the Nationals' [[farm team|farm system]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/nationals-journal/wp/2015/01/08/rick-ankiel-hired-as-nationals-newly-created-minor-league-life-skills-coordinator|title=Rick Ankiel hired as Nationals' newly created minor league 'life skills' coordinator|last=Wagner|first=James|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=January 8, 2015|access-date=January 8, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Janes, Chelsea">{{cite news |last=Janes |first=Chelsea |date=September 20, 2015 |title=For Nats and their prospects, Ankiel is a go-to guy for a good chat |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |page=D11 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/in-his-first-season-as-life-skills-coordinator-rick-ankiel-listens/2015/09/18/55a9ba36-530d-11e5-933e-7d06c647a395_story.html}}</ref>

In April 2017, Ankiel's memoir, ''The Phenomenon: Pressure, The Yips, and the Pitch that Changed My Life'', was published.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Phenomenon: Pressure, The Yips, and the Pitch that Changed My Life |first=Rick |last=Ankiel |publisher=[[PublicAffairs]] |date=2017 |isbn=978-1610396868 }}</ref>

In August 2018, Ankiel stated that he was "toying with" the idea of possibly pitching in professional baseball again.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/rick-ankiel-to-attempt-comeback/c-288544452 |title=This 39-year-old is attempting a comeback |first=Matt |last=Kelly |website=[[MLB.com]] |date=August 2, 2018 |access-date=August 2, 2018}}</ref> Later that month, Ankiel announced that he was planning a return to Major League Baseball for the 2019 season as a pitcher.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2789819-rick-ankiel-announces-hes-attempting-mlb-comeback-as-relief-pitcher-in-2019|title = Rick Ankiel Announces He's Attempting MLB Comeback as Relief Pitcher in 2019| website=[[Bleacher Report]] }}</ref> In October, he underwent "primary repair" surgery, an alternative to Tommy John surgery, in his pitching elbow.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Adler |first1=David |title=Rick Ankiel comeback delayed by elbow surgery |url=https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/news/rick-ankiel-comeback-delayed-by-elbow-surgery-c300387026 |access-date=25 March 2019 |work=MLB.com |date=November 7, 2018 |language=en}}</ref> Ankiel officially ended his comeback attempt on July 30, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Randhawa |first=Manny |date=July 31, 2019 |title=Ankiel ends Major League comeback attempt |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/rick-ankiel-ends-major-league-comeback |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=MLB.com |language=}}</ref> He was eligible to be elected into the Hall of Fame in 2019, but received no votes in his only year on the ballot.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Complete 2019 Hall of Fame election results |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/complete-2019-hall-of-fame-election-results-c302999710 |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=16 players are one and done on '19 HOF ballot |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/one-and-dones-on-the-2019-hall-of-fame-ballot-c303003224 |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref>

After retiring, Ankiel became a commentator and studio analyst for [[Bally Sports Midwest]], frequently joining [[Dan McLaughlin]] to call Cardinals games.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 20, 2017 |title=Former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher-turned-outfielder Rick Ankiel reflects on pressures of MLB play |url=https://news.stlpublicradio.org/show/st-louis-on-the-air/2017-04-20/former-st-louis-cardinals-pitcher-turned-outfielder-rick-ankiel-reflects-on-pressures-of-mlb-play |website=St. Louis Public Radio}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 4, 2021 |title=Media Views: Versatile Rick Ankiel plays another position — analyst in Cards' television booth |url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/subscriber/media-views-versatile-rick-ankiel-plays-another-position-analyst-in-cards-television-booth/article_36f468c2-0eb6-57a6-a255-34d98431005a.html |website=STLToday.com}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Ankiel's father was sentenced to six years in federal prison for drug smuggling in March 2000. His parents divorced the same year.<ref name="troubles" />

Ankiel lives in [[Jupiter, Florida]] with wife, Lory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?roster_year=2009&player_id=150449&c_id=stl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007213734/http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?roster_year=2009&player_id=150449&c_id=stl|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 7, 2012|title=Rick Ankiel Stats, Bio, Photos, Highlights|publisher=Stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com|date=June 19, 2012|access-date=April 1, 2013}}</ref> They have two sons.<ref>{{cite web | last=Kindred | first=Randy | title=Kindred: Is Rick Ankiel through with comebacks? Maybe | website=JG-TC.com | date=2025-04-30 | url=https://jg-tc.com/sports/baseball/kindred-is-rick-ankiel-through-with-comebacks-maybe/article_5c53fec7-2304-5f00-839b-968ed70a6083.html | access-date=2025-05-11}}</ref>

== In popular culture ==
The 2016 film, ''[[The Phenom (film)|The Phenom]]'', starring [[Ethan Hawke]], [[Johnny Simmons]], and [[Paul Giamatti]], is loosely based on Ankiel's personal life and professional struggles.<ref>{{Citation|last=Buschel|first=Noah|title=The Phenom|date=2016-06-24|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3885524/|type=Drama, Sport|others=Johnny Simmons, Ethan Hawke, Paul Giamatti, Sophie Kennedy Clark|publisher=Elephant Eye Films|access-date=2021-04-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Simon |first=Alexandra |date=2019-05-30 |title=Retroactive Review: The Phenom |url=https://tht.fangraphs.com/retroactive-review-the-phenom/ |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=The Hardball Times}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography|Baseball}}
* [[List of Major League Baseball players named in the Mitchell Report]]
* [[Two-way player]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{Baseballstats |mlb=150449 |espn=4159 |br=a/ankieri01 |fangraphs=1142|brm=ankiel001ric}}
* [http://rickankielonline.com/ Ankiel's Official Website]
* [http://www.baseballprospectus.com/pecota/ankieri01.php Baseball Prospectus stats] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004023107/http://www.baseballprospectus.com/pecota/ankieri01.php |date=October 4, 2017 }}
* [http://stlcardinals.scout.com/a.z?s=321&p=8&c=1&nid=2900079 Rick Ankiel's page at stlcardinals.scout.com]

{{Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year Award}}
{{The Sporting News Minor League Player of the Year Award}}
{{USA Today Minor League Player of the Year Award}}
{{Sporting News MLB Rookie of the year}}

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