In what started out as another feel good story in MLB this season with Rick Ankiel returning to the big leagues, it could all go for naught as a New York Daily News report says that Ankiel received HGH from an internet pharmacy.
According to the report, Ankiel received a 12-month’s supply of HGH in 2004. HGH was banned by MLB in 2005.
In just 81 at-bats since his callup from Memphis, Ankiel is hitting .358 with 9 home runs and 29 RBIs. Ankiel had been leading the Pacific Coast League in home runs before he got the call.
Ankiel has been one of the reasons the Cardinals are 16-6 in their last 22 games and suddenly in contention for the division title in the NL Central.
Given everything the Cardinals have gone through this season, this would be the icing on the cake.
“This is the first I’ve heard of this,” Cardinals GM Walt Jocketty told The News yesterday. “If it’s true, obviously it would be very tragic, along with everything else we’ve had happen to us year.”
If this proves to be true, Ankiel can escape suspension from MLB by proving he didn’t use it before it was banned by MLB. If he is found to have used it after it was banned, he would probably face a 50-game suspension.
This all stems from the same investigation that involved Rodney Harrison from the New England Patriots, the 10 WWE wrestlers and Cowboys QB coach Wade Wilson. If these allegations prove to be true, this is just another slap in the face to Bud Selig and MLB.
