Pitcher turned outfielder turned feel good story Rick Ankiel was linked to a year long prescription to HGH on Thursday. This alleged prescriptipn took place during 2004, a year before MLB banned the substance from the game. That detail may save him from a suspension or any punishment from the league whatsoever. Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty said that if Ankiel did indeed take HGH for a year it would be, “Very tragic.”

Perhaps not as tragic to the St. Louis Cardinals as the fans however. Think of all that the Red Bird fans had to endure this season: Tony La Russa driving drunk, the death of Josh Hancock, The loss of Chris Carpenter for the season on opening day, the possible end to the career of Juan Encarnacion, now this. Ankiel could have prevented this though. Because of his actions a cloud of suspicion will follow him for the rest of his career. Perhaps the Cardinal fans, who are too distracted by their team’s pennant race won’t mind, but other baseball fans take notice of Rick’s actions. I believe that he must be held accountable, no matter how many years ago he allegedley took HGH. Only time will tell how this plays out.