Power Pitcher

With A 3-1 record and a 2.16 ERA through Sunday, Cardinals lefthander Rick Ankiel (right) was at the head of this year's class of National League rookie pitchers. He had also been smashing at the plate, with six hits, including two home runs, in his first 12 at bats. At that pace Ankiel could challenge Wes Ferrell's 69-year-old single-season major league record of nine homers by a pitcher. The lefthanded-hitting Ankiel had a career ratio of 11.0 at bats per home run. Compare that McGwire-like figure to the next best ratios among active pitchers with at least two career homers.
—David Sabino

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