Rick Ankiel's Wild Comeback Bid 'Cooling Down' as 40th Birthday Approaches

Rick Ankiel's comeback bid has seemingly reached a crossroads.

The 11-year MLB veteran had hatched an idea to make a major league comeback around a year ago, but was unfortunately sidetracked by an elbow surgery that he had to undergo this past fall. Now Ankiel's 40th birthday is rapidly approaching, and his agent Scott Boras believes that it's decision time for the left-handed pitcher.

Rick Ankiel gave it a go, even had elbow surgery, because as he said, "What do I have to lose?" But as his 40th birthday approaches, the delay in his comeback attempt seems to have cooled that likelihood. His agent says lefty's "decision time" has arrived. #Cardinals #stlcards https://t.co/aZt5X9xTzO
— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) July 9, 2019

Ankiel first got the idea to make an MLB comeback when he was pitching in an exhibition game, and immediately informed the St. Louis Cardinals of his intentions. The Cards were all for it, and even allowed him to use their facility to work out as they waited for him to be ready in June. June has now come and gone, and Ankiel is still not ready to pitch.

Was listening to the @KenTremendous talk about how outfielders have been better at throwing guys out recently and while that might be true the GOAT was Rick Ankiel vs Colorado in 2008 https://t.co/Vyx53x0Eon
— Unai Out Now (@SageGunner47) July 9, 2019

Ankiel was only a pitcher for a short time with the Cardinals before switching to the outfield, but compiled a 3.90 ERA with 269 strikeouts in 242 innings of work in his career. The idea was to bring Ankiel along as a lefty specialist, using him in short spurts, but with Tyler Webb and Andrew Miller filling that void right now, it's looking less likely by the day that there will be a spot available for him in the majors (not to mention the three-batter rule looming, too).

Despite the odds being stacked against him, Mr. Ankiel should not give up on his dreams to pitch again in MLB. After all, it can't hurt to keep trying.