The source of Ankiel's problems were unknown, and his loss of control has been compared to that of Steve Blass, who also became unable to consistently throw strikes for unknown reasons. A section of a book about Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa, "Three Nights in August," details Ankiel's rise to the big leagues and loss of control as a pitcher in 2000–2001. LaRussa has stated that putting Ankiel into Game One of the 2000 NLDS was "a decision that perhaps haunts him more than any he has ever made."