Rick Ankiel Gunning Guys Out

[@clnhunter9137]

His comeback is one of the greatest baseball stories ever… and is why the game is the best ever

[@craigwheeler4760]

He was one hell of a freak athlete. It's only those types that can just up and change positions, and still be big leaguers. Injures his arm and gets the yips so bad he can't throw anymore, then becomes a borderline all star level hitter. That's crazy. Look at his 2008, that was solid stuff.

[@MrDavidboys]

LMAO How? By proving steroids work? He admitted to it.

[@kylec.8350]

No one cares about roids anymore its not 2003 buddy lol.

[@dovbarleib3256]

From 60 ft 6 in away, he lost his ability to find home plate, but from 300 to 350 feet away, the third baseman or the catcher do not have to move their glove!

[@Ferbes47]

Yep!!💯

[@georgebalko2593]

He was a ballplayer, all right!

[@GulfSoftwash]

Turns out the was far sighted all along.

[@no_regerts5176]

@@GulfSoftwashShoulda got some horn rims like Wild Thing.

[@SP-dw9gi]

All in the head, sucks.

[@aaronhires8620]

That throw from the warning track to 3rd against the Rockies was INSANE

[@cheetofingersbum]

I didn't even know that was physically possible. There isn't a current player that could even come close to making that throw

[@mi777ke777]

@@cheetofingersbum There are and something tells me Ohtani can too. I'd love to see him in the outfield for one season lol

[@bomboclap6969]

coors field makes it way easier but still impressive

[@Raithel1stGrade]

The greatest Left handed OF arm in baseball history.

[@Perejil1319]

With all the bullshit sports underdog movies out there that have to stretch the facts, they need to make one about this guy. The road he took to come back and what he did was amazing

[@crimsontide1980]

Agreed 100%

[@normash5427]

They did make a 45-min video detailing his career. When he returned to St Louis as an outfielder he hit a HR in his first game back. Manager Tony LaRussa was emotional about it. He almost never shows emotion.

[@Matt274]

STL fans love him forever, how can you not?

[@mclanegang1634]

The phenom is made already

[@CJ-zp7qj]

No it wasn't. That's the greatest load of nonsense ever

[@zyxwut321]

One of the best arms in the outfield baseball has ever seen. An absolute freak of nature. His wildness on the mound was a blessing in disguise.

[@treetoppa8388]

Hundred percent!

[@Tryp-j9d]

What a STUPID COMMENT!!

[@samueloro7871]

My respects to this guy after he lost his command as a pitcher he did not cry or fell sorry for himself just keep his composure and said I'm still an athlete!!!

[@jamesclaytonbowman5977]

Much like when some college QBs get hit with the reality that they will not make it in the NFL as a QB. They retool, reinvent themselves at another position. Tim Tebow was too prideful in that respect, he obviously could not read the defenses, was not an accurate enough passer... but damn he was such a good athlete, I bet he would've been a great TE or slot receiver, but nope. He was QB or nothing, and ended up being a punchline for it.

[@Kevin-i6t5i]

​@@jamesclaytonbowman5977if you can't read defenses you won't make it as a TE or receiver either.

[@becklyn3]

Watched him play in st louis and i love how he didnt give up after his fall as a pitcher. As an outfielder he was what i aspired to be when i played softball. One of my all time favorite players with an amazing story of resilience and talent.

[@BassYakCam]

One of the all time great comeback stories.

[@Heffelz8]

Going from the yips to the zips. Love that he was able to adjust to the outfield. What a dart.

[@curtisa112]

So much talent, loved him in stl and throughout career

[@t.sniffin3031]

Shaeffer obviously read Ankiel's scouting report. "Nope."

[@fishingthelist4017]

And he chose wisely.

[@bizmofunyuns6463]

Amazing story. Dude was fun to watch

[@sjdanthem]

It's not just his arm which is an absolute cannon, it's his fundamentals that put him in the perfect position to use it. Ankiel's story is a great one, too. Lifelong dream of being a major league pitcher fails flat....?.... fuck it, just become one of the best outfielders in the league with an arm that terrifies baserunners.

[@kimvogel4998]

I have to be honest. I have watched this video before. The cool thing it only gets better. Ankiel had a seriously accurate cannon. Impressive!

[@txbill2512]

Man, I don't know if I recall Ankiel playing a year in Houston. I didn't remember that at all. Also, the outfield assist is my favorite play in baseball.

[@13ranzz]

He was one of my favorite pitchers back in the day. I remember when he stopped pitching. But never knew he switched to outfield. This is cool.

[@Tryp-j9d]

He was MISTER WILD PITCH!!!! Caught Steve Blass disease!!!

[@DFC-d1d]

I was at the game when he made his debut as a pitcher. He was throwing in the mid 90’s with a devastating curveball. When he took his 1st AB and I saw his swing, I said to me buddy” To bad he’s not an outfielder, he looks like he can hit too”. Little did we know. Ankiel will always be a favorite in St. Louis. A movie should be made about his life, it’s both tragic and triumphant.

[@bratschewurst]

He wrote a book that's worth reading.

[@Lane17774]

The runner couldn't believe his mind on the first throw on the vid. He was faster than hell and still got thrown out. Impressive!

[@blitztim6416]

That’s a beautiful thing to watch. Incredible skill.

[@markwilliamson4628]

Man, that throw at 1:07 is what every outfielder dreams of doing. What a laser!

[@mikelliteras397]

With the price of admission. A lot of strong arms in MLB but very few strong and as accurate as Ankiel’s.

[@nologic29]

Ankiel in the outfield, Molina behind the plate. Gotta be a baserunner's worst nightmare 😂

[@wojciechbieniek4029]

i'm damn if do, and damned if i don't :D

[@土豆-o8w]

As a Taiwanese baseball fan. Didn't expect to see Wang twice in this clip. Thank you for upload

[@Kevin-i6t5i]

That's what she said.

[@mi777ke777]

This is perhaps the greatest throw runners out video on youtube. Rick Ankiel an absolute legend and I'm a big Vladdy, Ichiro guy. Ricks throw from right to third is absolutely incredible and maybe the best to do it of all time? Bow down to the King lol

[@clnhunter9137]

His throws from the outfield were an art form… just beautiful to watch

[@shadowaccount]

For some reason when I think of "getting gunned out" I always think of Ankiel. Thank you for making this video.

[@artholyoke]

To comeback from his pitching woes and throw people out like that is one of the great stories in baseball history

[@slo232000]

Will never forget Ankiel's epic meltdown on the mound when he lost control and never found strike zone again as a pitcher. Incredible comeback story and he is by far one of the best and most accurate arms ever in the outfield.

[@jlewis7221]

Never even heard of him before this compilation. Thank you, KZbin algorithm.

[@Kevin-i6t5i]

You haven't watched much baseball

[@CaIIOfTheWild]

What makes it cooler is he was originally a pitcher, basically fell apart and couldn't throw strikes anymore, then made a comeback several years later as an outfielder/hitter. One of the great comeback stories in baseball.

[@waynewells3297]

Bo Jackson, Jessie Barfield, Rick Ankiel. Would love to see those three in the same era, same outfield, gunning down runners.

[@treetoppa8388]

Only I would replace Barfield with Roberto Clemente.

[@gabrielrockman]

Don't forget about Dave Winfield. If he was given the chance, he might have been as good of a two way player as Shohei Ohtani.

[@bonwatcher]

It's like the runners and base coaches totally forgot he was a former MLB pitcher turned outfielder with a cannon for an arm.💪

[@jimlahey3919]

His accuracy was often WAY off, so a lot of people tested him.

[@jordandimarzio6322]

A lesser man would have retired Rick Ankiel said fuck that I'll just throw strikes from centerfield

[@maxv3208]

I never realized that he kept playing after his struggles on the mound. That's amazing!

[@drewt-rex7805]

I remember seeing this guy pitch, sad to see him struggle as a pitcher, great to see hi, ,are that comeback. What a fighter, what a great story

[@chrishatton2642]

The arc of the ball he throws is awesome.

[@doctorpete1]

Just awesome!

[@amsalek]

This just reminded me of all the different teams he played for after leaving St. Louis😟

[@dh3279]

Greatest career throws from an outfielder in MLB history. And it’s not even close!

[@charleston2theworld]

You know how crazy that 2nd throw was....sheesh

[@The_Noticer_of_Things]

Cool video, cool idea for a YT channel and you deserve many more subs! (subbed, obviously)

[@Alvicbar]

amazing upload

[@thedarkcranberry]

He played for a few ball clubs in his day.

[@BobbyMurrayBluesGuitar]

In the presence of greatness!!

[@chrisweidner4768]

For a while it was only the Babe and Rick, before Shohei. Rick became a great hitter and his throws from the OF were legendary. That throw with the bases loaded, from cf, while playing for the Nats. The GOAT.

[@MichaelElias-q2z]

Rick's not thinking, he's playing.

[@Dan-ez6vt]

Half of these are Ankiel making up for Worth's errors

[@NoNameForThisGuy]

For real. Werth didn't have a terrible career, but he's a fumbling, stumbling fool in lots of highlights videos

[@NicholasLashway]

Bro played for the entire MLB

[@wesleyadams5433]

That guy is awesome!

[@ziggle5000]

Making the final out at third is a known sin in baseball, making the final out at third against an arm like this must have led to some sleepless nights for managers

[@deansapp4635]

Orioles fan here. How can you Not love Rick? We could have used him here in Bird land

[@Kevin-i6t5i]

Cardinals fan here, Mark Belanger was one of my favorites.

[@deansapp4635]

@@Kevin-i6t5i Me too

[@pontiac500bj]

He's got to be the most accurate and strongest arm of any outfielder ever to play the game.

[@cokesquirrel]

He's really good but I think Roberto Clemente and jose guillen had better arms But he's But he's definitely top 5

[@Tryp-j9d]

Are YOU on DRUGS????

[@TacosandT3quila]

Bo Jackson got some pretty filthy highlights

[@Kevin-i6t5i]

Take a look at some Andre Dawson highlights.

[@Mike-rb2kk]

There is no better feeling than being a third baseman and knowing you tagged someone out and the ump agrees with you

[@Snowman-556]

That throw to third from center in the reds game was sick

[@slshusker]

Ankiel was a generational arm talent. SportsCenter should have him in their Top 10 Daily Hilghights Hall of Fame.

[@aarontalksculture4946]

Ankiel was such a beast outfielder. Better accuracy from deep center than from the mound!

[@davidperez909]

LOL the guy was throwing absolute bullets!

[@michaelyoungstrom9412]

Rick Ankiel in the outfield = Yadier Molina behind the plate❤

[@tima.478]

Rick took that Jaeger long toss program, SERIOUS! lol

[@derekiswalking]

I kept on thinking "Alright, that HAS to be the last clip" but it just kept going and going

[@propositionjoe499]

His throwing motion and release was insane

[@ChipNov1998]

The amazing arm strength...yes! But the ACCURACY is amazing!

[@benrager429]

This video tells me that trying to take the extra base on Ankiel was just as bad an idea as doing so against Pudge in his prime.

[@Ferbes47]

💯💯

[@Mark-sj3xb]

Some of these the runner may have been safe on closer inspection, but I believe Ankiel got so much respect from the umpires that he got the same grace on his throws that a great pitcher would get on the strike zone

[@NoNameForThisGuy]

Who the hell sent Roy Oswolt?

[@Kevin-i6t5i]

He was ready to get back into the dugout 😅

[@ericoffutt9499]

he was a one trick pony, but boy was it ever my favorite trick.

[@craigwheeler4760]

Rick switch from being an MLB pitcher to a full time outfielder. That's one of the hardest, longest transitions to do. He came back and batted above league average with 20+ HR in a season too. He wasn't just there as a SOB story, when he came back he could HIT.

[@bdnht]

Ankiel had an absolute railgun for an arm

[@gspadeo87]

Effing Freaking Gun!!!!

[@thewordnow]

Rick has a very Strong and Accurate Arm!

[@JACOB-p2z]

Until he started pitching

[@ScottySundown]

When I played in the minors with the Cardinals, during my second Spring Training Ankiel was my center fielder when they were making him into a position player. He once hosed a dude at the plate for me with no crow hop from the track in right center. He is a super nice guy too always was the first to congratulate you. When I first got to camp after being drafted I threw a bullpen beside Ankiel. I didn’t know who he was so I had to ask because he was throwing 97 with an absolutely electric breaking ball.

[@dudermcdude9245]

Great part of the game. What an arm!

[@TeeJMultipliedBy17]

My favourite play in all of baseball is a good outfield assist. Can you do one on Parra?

[@r4v4g3r]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZWomHuHd6qta5osi=Ke96OXeFrDJYE5CJ

[@sigep145]

A couple of weeks ago, I was just talking to friends about the first clip where he threw out two runners at 3rd in the same game. We were watching it in a bar we practically lived at back then & went nuts on the first throw. Everyone sat silent for a minute after the 2nd one to process if it really happened or if they were replaying the earlier play. Once we heard the announcers say it was the 2nd assist on the night we lost our minds.

[@metfan099]

Definitely gotta make a movie about his comeback

[@MrDuds1984]

What third base coach would be saying on a fly ball to the outfield to his runner on third base yeah go for it?

[@chrispearson3813]

Everybody talks about Bo Jackson. It's always the same 2 throws. RA made a career of it.

[@jimgray3346]

Ankiel had a Howitzer, like Tom Brady's son

[@artholyoke]

The first one is hilarious. The runner looks at Ankiel and wonders how did he do that?

[@bartdrennon1764]

I bet he was a great all-around high school athlete.

[@2115-l9o]

Man, had Ankiel chose to play as an OF since day one, he could have a much more stellar career.

[@dennissmith9259]

These throws make my arm ache just watching them.

[@Mark-sj3xb]

He’s snapping the wrist like he’s pitching but the ball is going 250 feet

[@pika62221]

That boy had an insane arm

[@eSD_]

If only we'd get to see the battle of Ankiel vs. De La Cruz 😢 it'd be such a storyline..

[@milesteg8183]

Painting the corner from 300 feet 😂

[@stripervince1]

Suddenly he couldn't pitch. But boy did he flourish in the of. Great arm

[@CALVINLNIKONT]

The fielder needs to put his glove on the corner of the bag and let the runner tag himself out!

[@drewv1747]

He threw more strikes from the outfield than he did from the mound.

[@matthewlyon1233]

Why was anybody even running on this guy?! What an arm.

[@deanouellette1868]

His arm wasn't the most accurate, but it was one of the strongest I've ever seen. Right up there with Clemente, Evans, Jackson and Ichiro.

[@Kevin-i6t5i]

Andre Dawson

[@Mark-sj3xb]

Sappelt at 2nd base looking and seeing Ankiel picking up the ball saying what the heck I’m going to 3rd

[@senororlando2]

god making Rick ankiel hitting: C- pitching: D baserunning: C fielding: C+ outfield assists: A+++

[@chrisweidner4768]

I’d give Rick a C+ as a hitter. Had a good power stroke and won a playoff game in extra innings for the Braves.

[@butterthyme2241]

Clearly hated Colorado

[@jeffbell6029]

Monster gun!

[@Mark-sj3xb]

That one at 1:03 looked like a pitched ball thrown from 250 feet

[@paulwheeler1761]

He would have been a HOF pitcher if they put the mound in center field for his starts.

[@markhousman8447]

This guy has so much arm talent, he should have tried pitching.

[@13jorino]

4:29 that's what she said.

[@vinni522]

Still sad what happened to his pitching career. Great comeback story though. Tony La Russa stated multiple times Ankiel’s comeback gave him a peace of mind, and it haunted him watching Ankiel’s pitching career disintegrate.

[@Kevin-i6t5i]

He was partially to blame, Ankiel should not have been starting the first game of the playoffs.