Kevin Ritz, a right-handed pitcher, spent his Major League Baseball career primarily with the Colorado Rockies and the Detroit Tigers. Born on June 8, 1965, in Eatontown, New Jersey, Ritz attended Cherry Hill High School East in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. His journey to the major leagues began when he was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the fourth round of the 1985 MLB Draft.
Ritz made his MLB debut with the Detroit Tigers on September 10, 1989. During his time with the Tigers, he struggled to find consistency on the mound. Over the course of three seasons with Detroit, Ritz appeared in 28 games, starting 16 of them. His tenure with the Tigers was marked by challenges, as he posted a 5.32 ERA and recorded a 2-8 win-loss record. Despite these struggles, Ritz continued to work on his craft, hoping for an opportunity to prove himself.
In 1992, Ritz's career took a new direction when he was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the expansion draft. The Rockies were a new franchise, and Ritz saw this as a fresh start. Pitching in the high altitude of Denver presented its own set of challenges, but Ritz embraced the opportunity to be part of a burgeoning team. His time with the Rockies proved to be the most productive period of his career.
Ritz's best season came in 1996 when he led the Rockies' pitching staff with 17 wins, finishing the season with a 17-11 record and a 5.28 ERA. This performance was particularly impressive given the hitter-friendly conditions at Coors Field, the Rockies' home ballpark. That year, Ritz also pitched 213 innings, the most in his career, and struck out 105 batters. His efforts helped the Rockies remain competitive in the National League West division.
Throughout his tenure with the Rockies, Ritz was known for his durability and willingness to take the ball every fifth day. He pitched for Colorado from 1993 to 1998, appearing in 116 games and starting 105 of them. During this period, he accumulated a 39-44 record with a 5.20 ERA. While his ERA was higher than the league average, it was not uncommon for pitchers at Coors Field, where the thin air often led to higher scoring games.
Ritz's career faced challenges due to injuries, which eventually led to his retirement. After the 1998 season, he stepped away from professional baseball. Despite the ups and downs of his career, Ritz's perseverance and ability to adapt to different environments were evident throughout his time in the majors.
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