Our pic of the day comes courtesy of rejuvenated St. Louis converted outfielder Rick Ankiel. You remember him, don’t you? The former top pitching prospect of the Cardinals a few years ago who was fallen by wildness and arm problems is back with a vengeance as an outfielder.

Now 28, the former 1997 second round pick has made the transformation to the batter’s box. He scrapped his pitching career a couple of Springs ago and has since been in the minors turning himself into a pretty good power hitter. So much so that his 31 dingers with Triple-A Memphis ranked second in the minors before the Cards finally decided to recall him for his much anticipated return. Well, if you didn’t notice, then that’s too bad.

We had been keeping a close eye on him and kept waiting for that recall. So, how has Ankiel done thus far? In his first game back, he went yard and got a standing ovation in a win. After a 1-for-4 effort in a loss Friday, the major league version of Roy Hobbs responded with his first multi-homer game and a great over the shoulder catch in right during a 6-1 win to keep his team within 6.5 of first place Milwaukee.

That’s three long balls already for what could evolve into a great feel good story. So how does he feel about all the attention?

“Don’t hold me to days like this. … I always believed in myself. It’s just a matter of getting out there, feeling comfortable and letting your talent take over.”

The reality of the situation hasn’t been lost on skipper Tony La Russa:

“It’s been a lot of fun. Everyone is really happy to see him, but this is the big leagues and you need to perform and be productive. There’s a lot of good guys, but if they can’t play, pretty soon you get somebody else.”

Such is how things are when your team despite still being six under .500 is in a pennant race because both the Brew Crew and the Cubbies haven’t been able to put enough distance between themselves and the defending World Champs.

Think they can’t sneak up and steal the division? Don’t blink cause you never know what could happen next.

Who had them winning it all last Fall? Exactly about the same amount who saw Ankiel tearing up the minors and now trying to write a great chapter in his renewed ballplaying career.

For now, we’ll be pulling for Ankiel to continue to have success in his comeback and see where it takes him and his ballclub.