Ray Ricker's Unique Journey to Baseballtown

(Reading, PA) - When looking at the resume of most Minor League baseball coaches, there seems to be a common similarity. Most of them, if not all, have played professionally to some extent in their careers.

But, for Fightin Phils coach Ray Ricker, that is not the case. Ricker joins an R-Phils coaching staff full of coaches who had previously played professionally. Manager Al Pedrique spent the majority of his career in the minors, with a few major league stints. Hitting Coach Tyler Henson played ten seasons of minor league baseball and Pitching Coach Brad Bergesen spent four seasons in the majors.

Ricker's journey is a lot more unique than that. After 12-and-a-half years coaching in the college ranks, he was hired by the Phillies prior to the 2020 season. Of course, his first season never occurred due to Covid, then Ricker spent 2021 at the Phillies complex and 2022 on the coaching staff of single-A Clearwater. Now, Ricker works as a coach for the Fightin Phils.

“I never dreamed about being in this arena," Ricker said. "If you would have told me ten years ago I would have been a double-A coach, I wouldn't have believed it."

To draw Ricker's path to Baseballtown, you have to go back to his playing days. Following his graduation from high school, Ricker began his collegiate playing career as a catcher at the University of Bridgeport. He then transferred to Albertus Magnus in New Haven, Connecticut, to finish his college career. Like most college players, Ricker had professional aspirations, but ultimately playing pro baseball wasn't in his cards.

Immediately following graduation in 2005, Ricker received an opportunity to join the coaching staff at Post University in Connecticut. It was an ideal spot to begin, especially considering its close proximity to where he grew up. Ricker was a swiss army knife on Post's staff. he served as a hitting coach, catching coach and recruiting coordinator. But, Ricker ultimately knew his goal was to be a head coach and one day lead his own program.

After seven years as an assistant on staff, Ricker was given the opportunity to be the head man of the Post Baseball program. He had prior experience leading a team as a manager with multiple teams in the New England Collegiate Baseball League and as an assistant on the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod Baseball League. Both leagues serve as summer destinations for college players after their seasons. It was the lessons he learned there that Ricker was ultimately able to take with him when leading Post.

“It helped build me as a manager and how I wanted to shape the program," Ricker said. “It was a dream to be a head coach. I loved getting to build a program that wasn’t a strong program to start out, then seeing it build to what it was at the end.”

For Ricker, he had reached one of his biggest goals. The thought of one-day moving to the professional ranks never creeped into his mind. Mostly, due to the fact that those with his background rarely got affiliated coaching opportunities.

"Up until about six, or seven, years ago if you didn’t play professional baseball then you weren’t getting an opportunity to coach," Ricker said. “It wasn’t something I looked for, it was sort of a dream that didn’t ever seem like a possibility.”

But, in 2019 the path Ricker was on seemed to take a detour. After five years as the head coach at Post University, a new opportunity presented itself to Ricker. That fall, a bunch of teams reached out and he began to go through the interview process. The other members of his staff at Post had been hired by professional teams, his pitching coach the Blue Jays and hitting coach by the Orioles. Then, Ricker followed when the Phillies hired him just prior to 2020.

"It was cool seeing that process unfold for all of us," Ricker said.

But, with every great opportunity comes the difficult decision on the other end. With his hire by the Phillies, Ricker bid goodbye to the only program he knew in his coaching career. Ricker was incredibly proud of the program he he had built at Post and relationships formed along the way.

“I told my athletic director I accepted the job with the Phillies and that was a tough conversation because we had a really good relationship," Ricker said. "Telling the team was very difficult because you built so many relationships with them.”

After three years, and two seasons, within the Phillies organization, Ricker joined the staff of the double-A Fightin Phils. His role is like that of many minor league coaches, practically everything and anything. Ricker works predominately with the R-Phils' catchers, but also works with the fielders, coaches first base, throws batting practice and so much more. He describes his coaching style as "players led" and radiates positivity on his players and always tries to keep things loose.

“I’m a relaxed kind of guy," Ricker said. "I don’t want to put any more pressure on them because the game is hard. I want them to focus on what they need to be successful.”

When he went from coaching single-A to double-A from last year to 2023. There were definitely differences between the two levels. The lower levels of the minors are usually filled with younger guys, some just out of high school or college, while double-A has a lot more experienced players and veterans. For Ricker, seeing one of the top levels of Minor League Baseball and work with guys who are so close to making impacts at the Major League level has been, "great to see."

Even though Ricker never played professionally, he doesn't let it make a difference in how he approaches his role. Ultimately, his goal is to help the players be the best they possibly can be. But, Ricker acknowledges that he may see some things differently because of his different path to the professional coaching ranks.

“You’re always going to see it through a different lens because I didn’t go through the same situations as Al [Pedrique], [Tyler] Henson and Brad [Bergesen]," Ricker said. "I think I give a unique perspective to what I’m seeing and try to blend it. Ultimately, you want to help these guys and be a small part of their journeys in making their dream come true.”

Off the field, Ricker has enjoyed his first season in Reading. He was excited to come to Baseballtown, knowing the reputation it has of being so great with the fans.

"It’s a cool ballpark and the fans are always out supporting the team," Ricker said.

Ricker's journey has been unique, but for him the goal always remains the same. He aims to push his players to be the best they can be and ultimately help both the Fightin Phils and Phillies win and develop the next level of players. For Ricker personally, he is focused on doing his best one day at a time.

“You want to keep doing a good job at what you’re doing," Ricker said. "Whatever happens, happens. I feel like I’m playing with house money and it’s great coming out here and being a part of it.”

Come see Ricker and the Fightin Phils when they return home after the All-Star Break from Friday, July 14, through Sunday, July 16, against the Portland Sea Dogs (Red Sox). Tickets to all games are still available, but going fast. Get yours before it's too late at rphils.com/tickets, by calling 610-370-BALL or in person at the Customers Bank Ticket Office.

The 2023 R-Phils season is presented by Pepsi. Follow the Fightin Phils on Twitter @ReadingFightins, like us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram @Fightins.