Orioles Catcher Adley Rutschman Once Tackled Christian McCaffrey

When Ryan Mountcastle walks into the Baltimore Orioles clubhouse these days, the 6-foot-3 first baseman feels small for the first time in his life. At spring training in Sarasota, Florida, the team looks less like a baseball squad and more like an NFL roster.

"Just a bunch of really large humans," Mountcastle said, shaking his head at the 71 players in camp. Even 6-foot-6 pitcher Zach Eflin, entering his 11th MLB season, agrees this is the biggest team he's ever been on.

The football comparisons have become impossible to ignore. Ravens helmets sit in the manager's office, players toss spirals on the new agility field, and the size of these athletes raises an obvious question: who would play what position if the Orioles suited up for the NFL?

The answer to kicker is easy. Adley Rutschman, the team's All-Star catcher, was Oregon State's kickoff specialist as a college freshman in 2016, averaging 59.5 yards per kickoff with 20 touchbacks.

His grandfather, Ad Rutschman, is a College Football Hall of Fame coach. His high school legacy includes a 63-yard field goal that still stands as the Oregon state record a decade later.

But here's the moment that made Rutschman a legend: he once tackled Christian McCaffrey, now one of the NFL's biggest stars. Video of the hit went viral years later, and his teammates can't stop talking about it.

"Adley Rutschman tackled Christian McCaffrey," Mountcastle said. "That's the easiest answer."

Sunny's Take

There's something wonderfully wholesome about elite athletes being kids again, imagining different versions of their lives. These million-dollar baseball players aren't too cool to throw spirals and dream about alternate careers.

Jeremiah Jackson from Mobile, Alabama, throws such a gorgeous football that teammates immediately named him quarterback. Gunnar Henderson, the 24-year-old superstar shortstop, got the most votes as an all-around player who could dominate both sides of the ball.

The speed demon is outfield prospect Enrique Bradfield Jr., who'd slot perfectly into defensive back or wide receiver. Dean Kremer earned a comparison to NFL star Deebo Samuel for his versatility.

And Pete Alonso, at 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds of pure competitiveness, got the nod for fullback. Nobody wants to be on the wrong side of that collision.

Rutschman admits his kicking leg isn't what it used to be after years focusing on baseball, but he figures he could still hit from 50 yards with some practice. The tackling skills, though? Those are apparently forever.

Spring training is about preparation and focus, but it's also about joy and camaraderie. Watching these giants play pretend reminds us that even at the highest levels of sport, the best teams are the ones having fun together.