Ankiel returns to Cardinals
Rick Ankiel returned to the major leagues Thursday as an outfielder – and quickly put on a power display.
After flopping in his attempt to rejoin the St. Louis Cardinals as a pitcher, Ankiel was called up from the minors and hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning off San Diego’s Doug Brocail in a 5-0 victory.
It was Ankiel’s third career homer. He hit two in 2000, when he was a phenom left-hander. Ankiel was leading the Pacific Coast League with 32 homers.
The timing of the callup coincided with utilityman Scott Spiezio going on the restricted list. Spiezio is voluntarily entering a treatment program for a substance problem that the team did not specify. He will be paid while he undergoes treatment.
Student may keep ball
Matt Murphy could become $500,000 richer if he sells Barry Bonds’ record-breaking home run ball.
The college student, however, may just want to hang on to it – even if he’s hit with a whopping tax bill.
“Part of me wants to keep it. It’s the greatest American sports accomplishment in history,” Murphy said on NBC’s “Today Show.”
•Bonds’ batting helmets, hand marked with No. 755 and No. 756 on the bills, arrived in New York en route to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.
The helmets were briefly displayed at the airport in Albany, N.Y.
Clemens suspended
Roger Clemens was suspended for five games and New York Yankees manager Joe Torre for one, the fallout from Clemens hitting Toronto’s Alex Rios with a pitch this week.
Clemens hit Rios in the middle of his back in the seventh inning of Tuesday’s game. Clemens and Torre immediately were ejected.
Clearing the bases
Philadelphia acquired infielder/outfielder Russell Branyan from Cleveland for cash. The Indians also claimed backup infielder Chris Gomez on waivers from Baltimore. … San Francisco dealt pinch-hitter deluxe Mark Sweeney to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the first trade between the rivals in more than 20 years. … San Diego parted ways with David Wells, designating the 44-year-old left-hander for assignment to activate All-Star Chris Young from the 15-day disabled list.