Rick Ankiel

Born on today's date, Rick Ankiel.

"I just lost it right there on the mound. I don't know what I was thinking. I'd go blank before I'd throw the ball, and then after I'd say to myself, 'How the hell did that happen?'" - on throwing five wild pitches in the third inning of Game 1 of the 2000 NLDS

Astros

200 strikeouts after 20 games.

300 strikeouts after 30 games.

400 strikeouts after 40 games.

All you can ask for is consistency!

Rick Ankiel's target

Or bust.

(5 home runs and 26 strikeouts in 42 at bats)

Rick Ankiel

Born on today's date, Rick Ankiel.

"I just lost it right there on the mound. I don't know what I was thinking. I'd go blank before I'd throw the ball, and then after I'd say to myself, 'How the hell did that happen?'" - on throwing five wild pitches in the third inning of Game 1 of the 2000 NLDS

The Royals are loaded! Just ask their GM.

Per Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star, Royals general manager, Drayton Moore likes the team he has assembled for this year.

"I love the moves that we've made this offseason," he asserted. "We wanted to get more athletic, and we wanted more team speed. (We wanted) guys who could play better defense. And for a little over $8 million,* we've added Chris Getz, Josh Fields, Rick Ankiel, Scott Posednik, Jason Kendall,** Noah Arguelles and Brian Anderson."

"All of those guys are very athletic and defensive-oriented players. They're baseball players in the sense that they come to play. They're winners.***They've got great reputations in the game as being competitors.****We like the moves a great deal."

Ok, let's see. We essentially have two AAAA players, one halfway-decent player (Getz), one who knows? (Arguelles), Ankiel!?!, and two guys who have either already retired or should have.

You know, I am no expert on business but I think one good rule of thumb is "Don't treat your customers like idiots."

Yea, I think that is a really good rule.

*You really get what you pay for and this is proof.

**I still can't believe this one.

***?!?

****Back-handed "compliment" similar to being called an "innings-eater".