JUPITER, Fla. — A promising Cardinals lefthander whose career as a pitcher went sideways, then suddenly a power-hitting outfielder and after that a prospective reliever trying to come back at age 40, Rick Ankiel finally is done with baseball. At least on a playing level.
The comeback idea that had popped into his head late in the 2018 season when was having success in semi-pro type games as a reliever has dissipated. He tried. And tried. And tried last year.
“I’m not coming back,” Ankiel said.
The flesh is not willing. Neither is the mind.
“I had the second Tommy John surgery and then I got hurt on a throwing program,” related Ankiel, an instructor in Cardinals camp.