Ritchie attended high school at Herbert Hoover in Glendale, California where he was named All-CIF Southern Section. He began his college baseball career at Brigham Young University. After his freshman year, he transferred to Glendale Community College.
He was selected by the Phillies in the fourth round of the 1985 Major League Baseball draft. Although he had signed a letter of intent to continue his college baseball at Loyola Marymount, he chose to sign with the Phillies and was assigned to the Bend Phillies to begin his professional career. In the offseason after the 1986 season, Ritchie played in Mexico for the Venados de Mazatlán.
Ritchie made his Major League debut on May 1, 1987 against the Cincinnati Reds. He pitched a scoreless inning in relief of Tom Hume at Veterans Stadium. On June 29, he recorded the first save of his big league career by retiring nine consecutive batters. Ritchie would total 62.1 innings pitched over 49 relief appearances in 1987, the fullest season of his Major League career.

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