What's inside Rick Ankiel? The young lefthander's physical gifts are obvious for all to see. But what is behind Ankiel's youthful brashness--true confidence or youthful insecurity? Does Cardinals manager Tony La Russa know? Let's examine three of La Russa's recent actions and proclamations concerning Ankiel.

Last October, La Russa apparently felt more comfortable sending Ankiel to the mound, to face Andruw and Chipper Jones et al in Game One vs. the Braves in the NL Division Series, than he did sending Ankiel to the podium, to face the nation's ferocious baseball media prior to that game.

Several weeks ago, La Russa, when asked about Ankiel's post-season control problems, decreed that Ankiel will be allowed to address his celebrated 2000 post-season control problems exactly one time: early in the 2001 spring training sesson. After that, according to La Russa, Ankiel should not, and will not, be subjected to those questions.

Then, at last night's annual St. Louis Baseball Writers Dinner, La Russa stated his belief that Ankiel, in 2001, will likely not suffer any after-effects from his spectacular playoff blow-out...as long as the St. Louis baseball fans provide Ankiel with, in essence, the same kind of support that La Russa expects Ankiel's teammates to provide.

Taken together, the actions and words of Tony La Russa are clear: Rick Ankiel requires an extraordinary amount of protection and support. It remains to be seen if the national baseball media, as well as fans in Wrigley Field, Shea Stadium and the balance of the National League ballparks, will do their best to help Ankiel.