Drug Abuse

Question by STL Cardinals-Record:36-30: Who Has The Better Story?Ankiel or Hamilton?
Rick Ankiel

Ankiel began his career in the majors as a starting pitcher, posting a solid rookie season in 2000 with 11 wins, 7 losses, and 194 strikeouts, but during the playoffs that year, he suddenly found himself unable to throw strikes consistently. After a few years of struggling with injuries and command, he abandoned pitching in 2005 and began to work his way back up to the major leagues as an outfielder, finally succeeding in August 2007. He is the only active major leaguer to have played as a full-time major-league pitcher and position player, and one of only a handful in history.

Josh Hamilton

Hamilton played baseball growing up in North Carolina. He was the first overall pick in the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.[1] He was considered a blue chip prospect until injuries and a drug addiction derailed his career in 2001. Prior to the 2007 season, Hamilton was selected by the Chicago Cubs (picking for the Cincinnati Reds) in the Rule 5 Draft.[2] He made his MLB debut in 2007 with the Reds, and had a successful rookie season. During the off-season he was traded to the Texas Rangers for Edinson Volquez.[3]

After his torrid start to the 2008 season, Hamilton was named to the American League All Star team. He also participated in the Home Run Derby, where he hit a record 28 home runs in the opening round, and finished with the second-most total home runs of any participant with 35.

I say Ankiel because he came back from being a pitcher and now he is an every day center fielder and a very good hitter.

But i do love Hamilton’s story because it says “you can quit addiction”
but i like Ankiel’s more.

Best answer:

Answer by minor league fan
Being a St. Louis Cardinals fan I prefer Ankiel. You also fail to mention he is one of two players to win at least 10 games as a pitcher and hit at least 20 home runs in another. The other was Babe Ruth.

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