Posted by
Conservative Wordsmith Susan Baldwin on Monday, September 10, 2007 1:25:57 PM
Conservative Wordsmith Susan Baldwin writes: The New York Daily News is trying to tarnish Rick Ankiel's good name and his more than amazing accomplishments. Why? He told reporters on Friday, September 7, that in 2004, (who cares about 2004? This is 2007!), he had taken HGH plus other medications prescribed to him by his physicians.
"Rick Ankiel says any drugs he received in 2004 were prescribed by a licensed physician to help him recover from reconstructive elbow surgery."
"'I'm not going to go into the list of what my doctors have prescribed for me,'" the St. Louis Cardinals outfielder said when asked specifically whether he had taken HGH as part of his recovery. "'I've been through a lot emotionally and physically. There are doctor and patient privileges, and I hope you guys respect those privileges.'"
"Walt Jocketty, the Cardinals' general manager, is completely satisfied that Ankiel did nothing wrong. "'Everything was legal,'" he said. "'There was no violation of major league rules. There was no violation of any laws. At this point, if there's anything more to decide, major league baseball will look at it and let us know.'"
"The outfielder has been the talk of the league after hitting nine home runs and 29 RBIs since being called up from the minors Aug. 9. He returned to the majors in style, just three seasons after his promising pitching career was in ruins after he inexplicably lost all control on the mound."
"'I'm just disappointed,'" said Ankiel, who homered twice and drove in seven runs in the Cardinals' 16-4 home victory over Pittsburgh on Thursday. "'I just don't want it to become a bigger distraction that it already has become. We're in the middle of a pennant race. I just want to be able to go out there and compete at the highest level I can.'"
(The above story and quotes are from the article
"Cardinals' Rick Ankiel says everything he took in 2004 was prescribed by licensed physician," by Bob Baum, AP Sports Writer.)
It is Rick Ankiel's God-given abilities, (not pill-given), and hard work, that makes him a true American superstar. I'm not sure what it is about baseball that makes it so special; maybe it's because there is something so incredibly American about the game and its history. I love the true story of Rick Ankiel suddenly losing his ability to pitch for no known reason, and then making a tremendous comeback as a hitter. I always enjoy hearing about a person who reaches a crossroad of life, and then makes a decision to take a radically different path.
He is obviously a gifted baseball hero, who is becoming a modern-day Babe Ruth. The Babe started out pitching for the Boston Red Sox, but is better known as a hitter, hitting numerous home runs for the New York Yankees. Is it journalism, or jealousy, that drives reporters to these lower levels? Rick Ankiel, after having been called up from the Minors to the Majors only about a month ago, has already hit nine home runs. His story is so incredible that it sounds like fiction, but it is fact.
Reporters should leave Rick Ankiel alone. He has gone through a lot of turmoil during these past few years, and doesn't need this kind of negativity in his life. Let's hope his momentum continues to be stronger than ever, in spite of the prying, itching ears of greedy reporters, and the poisonous words of their pens.
St. Louis Cardinals Photo Gallery
St. Louis Cardinals' Rick Ankiel watches his first home run of the game during the second inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates Thursday, Sept. 6, 2007, in St. Louis. Ankiel hit a second homer in the fifth inning. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Team Photo Gallery
Related Links
The Natural Returns to St. Louis
By Charles Krauthammer
Ankiel invigorates Cards and has the fans buzzing
By Bernie Miklasz
*The original date of this publication
was September 9, 2007.
Conservative Wordsmith Susan Baldwin, author of the Conservative Wordsmith Weblog, appreciates your thoughts and comments.