KatieGate 2.0: Recruits React to Canes Beating the Gates [2025 Edition]

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Its Rick Ankiel - went on to play outfield

Ankiel didn't have an issue throwing to first. He couldn't throw strikes. He had trouble throwing pitches the catcher could actually catch. He was firing fastballs that were multiple feet either off or above the plate. Pretty sure the umpires union breathed a sigh of relief when he stopped pitching.
 
 
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Ankiel didn't have an issue throwing to first. He couldn't throw strikes. He had trouble throwing pitches the catcher could actually catch. He was firing fastballs that were multiple feet either off or above the plate. Pretty sure the umpires union breathed a sigh of relief when he stopped pitching.
I was a young kid going to the Johnson City Cardinals games (Rookie level affiliate) watching Ankiel throw 98 mph fastballs off the net 15 feet over the catchers head, off the ump's dome, etc. You weren't safe in the on deck circle with that dude on the mound.

I remember him also fielding a bunt and going for the force at 2nd and sailing it over the CFs head. At the time, CF was 430 feet and it rolled all the way into the deepest part.
 
I was a young kid going to the Johnson City Cardinals games (Rookie level affiliate) watching Ankiel throw 98 mph fastballs off the net 15 feet over the catchers head, off the ump's dome, etc. You weren't safe in the on deck circle with that dude on the mound.

I remember him also fielding a bunt and going for the force at 2nd and sailing it over the CFs head. At the time, CF was 430 feet and it rolled all the way into the deepest part.

HAHAHA. I feel sorry for him, but that was hilarious watching him try to pitch. To his credit, he made his way back as a CF. Hit a HR in the playoffs for the Braves one year.
 
So not for a second does it register in your mind maybe our game plan changed a little based on all of the other factors involved? Or you think seeing our quarterback was playing like **** seeing our center couldn't figure out how to snap the ball seeing the weather and understanding Florida's defense we should have just kept forcing throws down the field and said who cares if we win the game or not right? Because Lord knows you wouldn't have gave a **** if we lost. You'd be perfectly happy that we lost as long as we just threw the ball so those receivers could see us chunk it...
side question: can some OL experts explain what the **** was going on there with the Center QB exchange. that was infuriating
 
Ankiel didn't have an issue throwing to first. He couldn't throw strikes. He had trouble throwing pitches the catcher could actually catch. He was firing fastballs that were multiple feet either off or above the plate. Pretty sure the umpires union breathed a sigh of relief when he stopped pitching.
He could throw strikes. Strike out ratio was only behind Randy Johnson his first full year(2000) he got the yips in post season and never recovered.
 
Ankiel didn't have an issue throwing to first. He couldn't throw strikes. He had trouble throwing pitches the catcher could actually catch. He was firing fastballs that were multiple feet either off or above the plate. Pretty sure the umpires union breathed a sigh of relief when he stopped pitching.
Don't really care to search but pretty sure it was Chuck Knobloch and then someone asked who the Cardinals P that got the yips was ... hence the Ankiel answer
 
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My buddy was a pretty high level baseball recruit in high school. Went to a national showcase. As he was warming up to hit (probably 3-4 down the line) A helicopter landed on the adjacent field. The kid pitching at the time was 88-92 and my buddy was feeling good. He was the first to face the helicopter kid. Took 2 fastballs at 98 that he said he heard but didnt see well then gave up on a breaking ball that dropped right in....Rick Ankiel was the one who got out of the helicopter. He faced a few future Major leaguers but he still says that Ankiel was by far the best he saw.
 
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