Part 2/7:
Upon hearing the news of Ricky's death, reactions were filled with disbelief. It was a shock to not only the fans but also to those who knew him personally. Dave Stewart, a fellow Oakland native and Ricky's teammate during their celebrated years with the Oakland Athletics, was among those who felt the sting of this loss. When he first heard the news, it felt surreal. However, a conversation with Ricky's family made the reality painfully evident. Stewart reminisced about knowing Ricky since they were both just 12 years old, having grown up in the same community and played baseball alongside each other through their formative years.