Rickey Cradle facts for kids

Rickey Nelson Cradle (born June 20, 1973) is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) player. He played as an Outfielder for the Seattle Mariners in 1998. Rickey Cradle made it to the highest level of professional baseball, even if only for a short time.

Rickey Cradle's Baseball Journey

Rickey Cradle was born in Norfolk, Virginia. He worked hard to become a professional baseball player.

Starting His Career

Rickey was a talented player from a young age. The Toronto Blue Jays baseball team noticed his skills. They chose him in the 5th round of the 1991 Major League Baseball Draft. Being "drafted" means a professional team picks a player to join their organization.

After being drafted, Rickey played for several minor league teams. These are teams where players develop their skills before reaching the major leagues. He played for teams like the Medicine Hat Blue Jays and the Hagerstown Suns. He also played for the Tacoma Rainiers, which was a team linked to the Seattle Mariners.

Playing in the Major Leagues

Rickey Cradle finally made his big league debut on July 1, 1998. He played for the Seattle Mariners. This was a dream come true for him.

He played in five games during the 1998 season. In those games, he had one hit in seven tries at bat. He also earned two runs batted in (RBI). An RBI means a player's hit or action allowed a teammate to score a run. Rickey also got one walk, which means he got to first base without hitting the ball. He also managed to get one stolen base, which is when a player runs to the next base while the pitcher is throwing.

His last game in Major League Baseball was on July 12, 1998. After his time with the Mariners, Rickey Cradle continued to play in the minor leagues for a bit longer. He showed that hard work and dedication can lead you to the top levels of sports.