Rick Ankiel Mania and the "Other" Comeback Story

I just finished watching my third straight Mets/Cardinals game at Busch. And instead of spewing unfiltered venom all over the keyboard after another absolutely brutal Mets loss, I'm going to say nice things about the Cardinals. Specifically, I'm going to talk about my new man crush on Rick Ankiel (it's part of my therapy).

You know how as a fan, even a fairly insane one, you sometimes don't really get to appreciate a player who plays in another market? Put that guy in another division and chances are you're even less in the know than you think you are. Such is (was) the case with Rick Ankiel and me.

Everyone knows the Josh Hamilton story. It's perfectly fine with me if that story gets told again and again. It's one of those tales you can't make up and, for now, Hollywood couldn't have scripted it better. Hamilton has overcome physical and psychological pain and trauma that I can't even imagine, and I am in no way pitting Hamilton versus Ankiel in terms of comeback stories. I think most of us would make some clear distinctions between the two.

However, spending three days in St. Louis brought to life for this New Yorker just how amazing (in the baseball context of the word) Ankiel's own story has become. First of all, aside from anything on the field, Ankiel's "presence" is one of the first things I noticed in the 'Lou -- in every Foot Locker, Champs and Cardinals Clubhouse. Right in the front window after front window, dead center and only occasionally flanked by a t-shirt or jersey adorning the number 5 with the name "PUJOLS" etched across the back.

Number 24 is on the streets everywhere you look, on the backs of construction workers, on young girls and boys at the St. Louis Galleria and all over Busch Stadium. Ankiel seems to have that All-American boy appeal that David Wright commands in New York. Then there's his presence on the field.

Simply put, I had no idea how good this kid was (or can be?) until watching him in person. His potential is perhaps even scarier (albeit he's now 28). Sure, it was only three games and die-hard Cardinals fans might quickly point out the flaws in his game, or tendencies unseen to the fan only passing through town. But from what my eyes witnessed over three games this week. Wow.

My first reaction was to his Ankiel's play in the field. I remember thinking to myself after the second game: "this kid could be a Gold Glover." He tracked down everything, and watching him run down line drive after line drive it all appeared smooth and effortless, the word "natural" came to mind. And, of course, there is the arm. The same arm I recalled wildly throwing the ball around the backstop back in 2000. But a cannon nonetheless and one that has been put to great use on mutliple

At the plate, his swing is sweet and the ball jumps off the bat. The power is clearly there, and he drilled two in the last two games just to remind Mets fans. What's more he also sprinkled in a few line drives. My impression of Ankiel as a hitter has always been that hes an all or nothing guy. Great story. Gifted athlete. But it's either feast or famine with a strikeout or a dinger with 24 at the plate. It looks like that might not be the case (as often) anymore, and, if true, that's a pretty scary prospect for opponents.

Regardless, the whole experience in St. Louis was a bit surreal for me when it comes to Ankiel. A few times I found myself shaking my head in disbelief. This was the same kid who lost the strike zone, and his head, in 2000? Back then, I had chalked up his career to "wasted talent." A flash in the pan, remembered only with a chuckle that you felt bad about letting out but somehow couldn't stifle. It was how it almost certainly would be in 10-15 years. A few guys reminiscing about about a Ricky Vaughan-like guy named Rick Ankiel. "Remember him?" "Oh yea, great stuff and then fell apart in 2000 playoffs versus the Mets and never made it back..."

Maybe someone had a different script in mind for Ankiel. Looking around Busch Stadium and seeing a see of red spotted with a bount of #24 Ankiel shirts and jerseys was a testament to a man who has his made an impressive comeback in his own right.

The MLB Story of the Year Gets Its Due: Hamilton Hits SI Cover

Josh Hamilton dons the cover of this week's SI -- as damn well he should. Hamilton's journey, albeit well-documented, does not get old for anyone who appreciates those great stories that transcend sport and remind us of that which people are capable.

For right now, Josh Hamilton's story is one where the use of the word redemption is neither inappropriate, trite and/or irresponsible (as is too often the case). It's a story where the phrase "life or death," shockingly, does not take the form of throwaway cliche. His is a story where "down and out" truly is, or was. It's also a story that gets better with every home run, ribbie and sparkling play in the outfield.

I first remember reading about Hamilton four years ago in a St. Petersburg Times article, and being immediately captivated by the tale of a former #1 overall pick, then a tattooed Devil Ray, trying to fight his way back from crack, alcohol and a host of other demons for a chance at the bigs. Shortly thereafter, his story would hit USA Today and even the casual fan could barely avoid casting half an eye, and half their hope towards Josh Hamilton.

Last year, Josh started the 2007 season for the Cincinnati Reds and received a standing ovation on his first trip to the plate. He had come a long way for certain. He would play in 90 games for the Reds last season, hitting an impressive .292, along with 19 home runs and 47 RBIs.

In only 53 games in 2008, the now Texas Ranger leads the Majors with 58 RBIs. He's fourth in the AL in average at .324 and second in the AL in homers with 13. This week's SI story referred to him as "the natural," citing scouts who referenced Hamilton as they best they've seen. You can talk about Hamilton and Triple Crown without anyone giving pause to the notion.

If this was any other professional athlete, I might be seriously concerned about the famous SI cover jinx. But something tells me those mystical forces might be rendered fairly useless on Josh Hamilton.

Much like Andy Dufresne, Mr. Hamilton reached his spot on the Texas Rangers by crawling his way to freedom through five hundred yards of sh*t-smelling foulness I can't even imagine. Or maybe I just' don't want to...

But I'll tell you this. While it's hard to ever come out "clean" on the other side after seeing, doing and living the things he did, Josh Hamilton sure does looks spiffy on that SI Cover. And it's one cover we were pretty darn happy to see, too.

Best of luck the rest of the season 3-2.

MLB 1st Month Stat Leaders, Blink Twice If You've Heard Of Edinson Volquez

Did you know I lead the NL in ERA?

Between the NBA playoffs, NHL playoffs, Olympic hotties, and the NFL draft, I haven't kept my eye on baseball stats at all. I was not prepared for the surprises that awaited me when I checked out the AL and NL stats leaders. Yes, I know it is only one month into the season and we shouldn't overreact, but look at some of the names atop the MLB leaderboard. Who are those guys?

Hey, the Rangers Josh Hamilton and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim's (LAAsOA?) Casey Kotchman are 3 and 4 in AL batting average! Hamilton, who's hitting .333, is the uber-talented centerfielder who was featured on Sportscenter (or Baseball Tonight? or Outside the Lines?) last year because he overcame a big drug problem. Kotchman has only played in more than 50 games a year once in his career, and is hitting .259 in April for his career including this year's .326.

Don't White Sox fans hate Joe Crede? Wasn't he on the trading block for awhile? After one month, he's tied with teammate Carlos Quentin for the AL lead in home runs. Who? Exactly, I vaguely remember that Quentin was a hot prospect with the Diamondbacks. He's already two home runs away from tying his single season best. How soon is too soon for Berman to do some "San Quentin" jokes?

The venerable Emil Brown, who escaped to Oakland from Kansas City (that doesn't sound like much of an escape), is second in the AL in RBIs with 25 to Hamilton's 32. Joe Crede lurks 3 back tied with Justin Morneau. In the NL Xavier Nady sits atop the RBI leaderboard with 26. Yes, Cecilio's Scribe and your Mets fan brethren, that Xavier Nady. The D-backs Conor Jackson and the Bucos Nate McLouth are tied for fourth. Not exactly household names.

The pitching stat leaders are even more surprising than the hitters. Do you know the Angels Joe Saunders? Me neither but his 5 wins are good enough for a first place tie in the AL, one win ahead of Tampa Bay's Andy Sonnanstein, another gentleman I've never heard of. And speaking of guys I've never heard of, the Giants Brian Wilson (resisting bad Beach Boys joke....resistance is futile) is tied for the NL lead in saves with 9, and Oakland's Dana Eveland is fifth in the AL with a 2.43 ERA.

In case you were wondering, the Indians Cliff Lee is leading the majors with a 0.96 ERA. Lee's 2007 numbers? He was 5-8 with a 6.29 ERA. Edinson Volquez leads the NL with a 1.23 ERA. On the chance that you didn't know, Volquez toils for the Cincinnati Reds.

If even 3 of these guys are still in the Top 5 in their respective categories come June 1st, I'll be shocked. If any of them are there on July 1st I'll be suspicious. By August I'll start demanding an investigation.