Other Crap

Rick "Wild Thing" Ankiel is trying to get back to the majors as an outfielder.

And it looks like he may make it. He's in AAA right now, and has 22 dingers at the all-star break, including three in one game. His skills are still developing. His OBP is only .311, but it's difficult to ignore a guy who hits a homer every 12 at bats, and whom the fans are all rooting for.

In case you've forgotten, he finished second in the 2000 rookie of the year balloting as a pitcher. The fireballing lefty was only 20 years old and finished 11-7 with ten Ks per nine innings.

After that season he still had a good heater but could never find the plate. The next year he issued more than a walk per inning and had a WHIP over 2.00.

The only problem is they can't find anyone who can play catch with him in warm-up. Anyone got Chuck Knoblauch's number?