Orioles reliever Rico Garcia spoke with PressBox about his favorite pregame snack, his favorite road city and more. The 5-foot-9, 215-pound right-hander has posted a 3.62 ERA in 49.2 innings (55 appearances), striking out 52 and walking 16. The Honolulu native was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 30th round of the 2016 MLB Draft out of Hawaii Pacific University.
PressBox: If you could trade places with any movie or TV character, who would it be and why?
Rico Garcia: Hulk or any of the Avengers. I just want to be a superhero.
PB: If you weren’t an athlete, what would you be?
RG: Working somewhere in baseball or somewhere in sports because I’ve been playing sports my whole life. But if I didn’t play when I was younger, I have no idea. That’s all I pretty much know.
PB: What’s your favorite pregame meal or snack?
RG: It’s called a Stinger gummy. It gives me some energy.
PB: How would you describe your cooking skills?
RG: [My home state of] Hawaii is really simple. So, I could do breakfast and stuff. But when we get into mixing ingredients, that’s where I’ve got to ask my wife.
PB: What’s your signature dish?
RG: Steak, rice and eggs
PB: What’s your hidden talent?
RG: I’m pretty good at video games.
PB: What’s your favorite thing to do on a day off?
RG: Go out adventuring with my wife.
PB: What’s your favorite and least favorite road city?
RG: San Diego is a nice city, nice stadium all around. The hotel is right on the field, pretty much. The worst is probably New York because it’s so busy. There are so many cars, and it’s just the opposite of what I’m used to.
PB: What’s a habit you have that you wish you didn’t?
RG: I don’t want to sound gross, but I kind of pick my nails.
PB: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
RG: Don’t think too much. Just go out there and do what you do. Throw all your pitches and try not to think about things you can’t really control.
Photo Credit: Colin Murphy/PressBox
Originally published June 24, 2026. Updated Aug. 13, 2026