MLB pitchers have challenged Joey Rickard to hit their fastballs over the first week of the season - and so far he's been hitting them.
Joey Rickard has started off better than anyone could have possibly hoped. The Rule 5 draft pick is giving a solid effort with the glove and hitting .444/.400/.667 at the plate. The crowd chants his name for sacrifice flies. Beat writers already have given him nicknames. All the hallelujahs of legions of angels rain down upon him when he hits the cut off man. Somehow, this magnificent player was available to the Orioles for simply a roster spot.