ST. LOUIS • It had been many years since he toed the rubber and at least a few since he used to madden other outfielders by snapping off curves to them when just playing catch in the outfield, and still lefty Rick Ankiel grinned when asked if he could still throw his signature breaking ball.
Evidently lobbied into a pitching appearance 13 years after he retired as a pitcher, Ankiel struck out the only batter he faced Wednesday night in a game in Louisville, Ky., and the Bluegrass World Series. Ankiel, now 39, also went two-for-four and had four RBIs' in his team's victory.