#OTD 2007 - The Cardinals signed free agent Rick Ankiel. (@TheeRickAnkiel)
He was granted free agency just a month prior by the team.
In 2005, after years of frustration and minor league struggles due to the "yips", Ankiel made a life-changing choice when he announced he was giving up pitching to become an outfielder.
The Cardinals fully supported him, and he began the long and difficult climb back through the minors.
He missed the entire 2006 season due to injury but exploded in 2007 at Triple-A Memphis, smashing 32 home runs and driving in 89 runs.
On August 9, 2007, he was called up and made his debut as a position player - hitting a three-run homer in his first game back in a 5-0 Cardinals win over the Padres at Busch Stadium.
🎙️ @DannyMacTV and @Mad_Hungarian39
I’m beating a dead horse, but it still blows my mind that we didn’t win a single playoff game with Goldschmidt & Arenado paired up in St. Louis
#ForTheLou