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Carlos Ruiz (baseball player)
Encyclopedia
Carlos Joaquín Ruiz nicknamed Chooch, is the starting catcher
for the Philadelphia Phillies
.
, where his 17 home run
s were second among catchers in the Eastern League. He also had a season-best 10-game hitting streak in July and hit
.343 (23–67) over his final 17 games. He played in the developmental Arizona Fall League
as well.
In , Ruiz batted .300 in 100 games (347 AB) with 25 doubles
, 30 walks
, and 4 home runs. In before his callup, Ruiz was batting .385 with an on-base percentage of .448, including 5 doubles and 6 home runs in 91 at-bats. He also participated in the 2006 inaugural World Baseball Classic
, playing for Panama
.
Ruiz was called up to the Phillies in May , and played in 27 games that year.
The Phillies signed Rod Barajas
before the season because they had some concerns about Ruiz' ability to catch, hit, and generally hold up over a full season at the major league level; however, those concerns were dispelled. Barajas' injury left an opening for backup Chris Coste
on the Phillies' roster, but Ruiz played 115 games in 2007. After Barajas left for Toronto
in , Ruiz sat atop the depth chart at catcher and played in 117 games for the Phillies helping them win their second straight NL East title.
In 2007, Ruiz hit six home runs and compiled a .259 batting average. He had one of the highest fielding percentage
s in baseball among catchers with a .997, with only 2 errors
in 744 chances. On June 26, 2007, Ruiz stole
home
on the front end of a double steal in an 11–4 home win over the Cincinnati Reds
, becoming the first Phillie to steal home in 10 years and the first Phillies catcher to steal home in 25 years.
On October 25, 2008, in Game 3 of the 2008 World Series
, Ruiz hit his first postseason home run off Tampa Bay Rays
pitcher
Matt Garza
at Citizens Bank Park
. In the ninth inning, he recorded a walk-off single
, sending Eric Bruntlett
home from third
, becoming the fourth National League
player to hit a bases-loaded walk-off hit in World Series history, the first to deliver a walk-off infield hit, and the first walk-off of any kind by a Phillies player in the World Series.
In 2009, Ruiz had a fielding percentage of .996, while posting a .255 batting average with nine home runs.
In 2010, he became the only player of Panamanian descent to catch a perfect game, and raised his season batting average to a career-best .302.
Ruiz caught Roy Halladay
's perfect game on May 29, 2010 against the Florida Marlins
and Halladay's no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds
in the first game of the National League Divisional Series on October 6, 2010. In so doing, he became the first man since the Chicago Cubs
' Randy Hundley
in 1972 to catch two no-hitters during the same season (Burt Hooton
and Milt Pappas
) and the first since Yogi Berra
in 1951 to catch two no-hitters by the same pitcher during the same season (the New York Yankee
caught both of Allie Reynolds
' no-hitters). On August 12, 2010, when the Phillies were down 9–2 going into the 8th inning, they scored 8 runs in the 8th inning. The following inning, the bottom of the 9th, the Phillies were tied and Ruiz hit a walk off double to win the game, 10–9.
Ruiz returned for the Phillies' 2011 season as their everyday starting catcher.
. The selection was the result of the 49th annual Topps balloting of major league managers
.
In 2010, baseball fans voted Ruiz the "X-Factor Player of the Year" in MLB's This Year in Baseball Awards
.
Also in 2010, Ruiz received the Pride of Philadelphia Award from the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame.
In 2011, Ruiz was rated the most underrated catcher in baseball by Jayson Stark
, of ESPN. One scout in the MLB quoted, "I think he's the best catcher in the game – other than [Joe] Mauer, who's on a different planet."
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
for the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
.
Minor leagues
In , Ruiz spent his entire season with the Double-A Reading PhilliesReading Phillies
The Reading Phillies are a minor league baseball team based in Reading, Pennsylvania, playing in the Eastern Division of the Eastern League. Since the 1967 season, they have been the AA affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies....
, where his 17 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s were second among catchers in the Eastern League. He also had a season-best 10-game hitting streak in July and hit
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.343 (23–67) over his final 17 games. He played in the developmental Arizona Fall League
Arizona Fall League
The Arizona Fall League is an off-season league owned and operated by Major League Baseball which operates during the fall in Arizona, United States at five spring training complexes...
as well.
In , Ruiz batted .300 in 100 games (347 AB) with 25 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, 30 walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
, and 4 home runs. In before his callup, Ruiz was batting .385 with an on-base percentage of .448, including 5 doubles and 6 home runs in 91 at-bats. He also participated in the 2006 inaugural World Baseball Classic
2006 World Baseball Classic
---------Pool B:-------------Pool C:-------------Pool D:-------------Pool 1:-----------------Pool 2:-------------Finals:-Semifinals:-Final:-Final standings:...
, playing for Panama
Panama national baseball team
The Panama national baseball team is the national team of Panama. They are currently the 16th ranked baseball team in the world.- Roster :PitchersManuel Acosta,Albenis Castillo,Bienvenido Cedeno,Bruce Chen,Manuel Corpas,Jorge Cortez,...
.
Major leagues
The Phillies signed Rod Barajas
Rod Barajas
Rodrigo Richard Barajas is a Mexican American professional baseball catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball. He came up to the majors with the Arizona Diamondbacks in...
before the season because they had some concerns about Ruiz' ability to catch, hit, and generally hold up over a full season at the major league level; however, those concerns were dispelled. Barajas' injury left an opening for backup Chris Coste
Chris Coste
Christopher Robert Coste is an author and Major League Baseball catcher who is currently a free agent. Coste was on a Major League Baseball team for the first time in his career at age 33...
on the Phillies' roster, but Ruiz played 115 games in 2007. After Barajas left for Toronto
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
in , Ruiz sat atop the depth chart at catcher and played in 117 games for the Phillies helping them win their second straight NL East title.
In 2007, Ruiz hit six home runs and compiled a .259 batting average. He had one of the highest fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
s in baseball among catchers with a .997, with only 2 errors
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
in 744 chances. On June 26, 2007, Ruiz stole
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
home
Home Plate
Home Plate is the fifth album by Bonnie Raitt, released in 1975 .-Track listing:#"What Do You Want the Boy to Do?" – 3:19#"Good Enough" – 2:56#"Run Like a Thief" – 3:02...
on the front end of a double steal in an 11–4 home win over the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
, becoming the first Phillie to steal home in 10 years and the first Phillies catcher to steal home in 25 years.
On October 25, 2008, in Game 3 of the 2008 World Series
2008 World Series
The 2008 World Series was the 104th World Series between the American and National Leagues for the championship of Major League Baseball. The Philadelphia Phillies as champions of the National League and the Tampa Bay Rays, as American League champions, competed to win four games out of a possible...
, Ruiz hit his first postseason home run off Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
Matt Garza
Matt Garza
Matthew Scott Garza is a United States professional baseball pitcher with the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball.-Amateur career:He attended Washington Union High School and Fresno State.-Minnesota Twins:...
at Citizens Bank Park
Citizens Bank Park
Citizens Bank Park is a 43,647-seat baseball park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, and home of the Philadelphia Phillies. Citizens Bank Park opened on April 3, 2004, and hosted its first regular season baseball game on April 12 of the same year, with the...
. In the ninth inning, he recorded a walk-off single
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
, sending Eric Bruntlett
Eric Bruntlett
Eric Kevin Bruntlett is a retired Major League Baseball utility player who last played in the New York Yankees organization. He was known for his defensive versatility; he usually played second base or shortstop, but has also played left field. Bruntlett played every position except for catcher...
home from third
Third Base
is a 1978 Japanese film directed by Yōichi Higashi.-External links:...
, becoming the fourth National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
player to hit a bases-loaded walk-off hit in World Series history, the first to deliver a walk-off infield hit, and the first walk-off of any kind by a Phillies player in the World Series.
In 2009, Ruiz had a fielding percentage of .996, while posting a .255 batting average with nine home runs.
In 2010, he became the only player of Panamanian descent to catch a perfect game, and raised his season batting average to a career-best .302.
Roy Halladay
Harry Leroy "Roy" Halladay III , nicknamed "Doc", is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies...
's perfect game on May 29, 2010 against the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
and Halladay's no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
in the first game of the National League Divisional Series on October 6, 2010. In so doing, he became the first man since the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
' Randy Hundley
Randy Hundley
Cecil Randolph "Randy" Hundley Jr. is a former American professional baseball player and coach. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the San Francisco Giants , Chicago Cubs , Minnesota Twins , and the San Diego Padres...
in 1972 to catch two no-hitters during the same season (Burt Hooton
Burt Hooton
Burt Carlton Hooton , nicknamed "Happy" , is a coach and former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball...
and Milt Pappas
Milt Pappas
Milton Steven "Milt" Pappas is a former professional baseball pitcher...
) and the first since Yogi Berra
Yogi Berra
Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra is a former American Major League Baseball catcher, outfielder, and manager. He played almost his entire 19-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
in 1951 to catch two no-hitters by the same pitcher during the same season (the New York Yankee
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
caught both of Allie Reynolds
Allie Reynolds
Allie Pierce Reynolds was a pitcher in Major League Baseball.-Biography:...
' no-hitters). On August 12, 2010, when the Phillies were down 9–2 going into the 8th inning, they scored 8 runs in the 8th inning. The following inning, the bottom of the 9th, the Phillies were tied and Ruiz hit a walk off double to win the game, 10–9.
Ruiz returned for the Phillies' 2011 season as their everyday starting catcher.
Honors
Ruiz was selected to the 2007 Topps Major League Rookie All-Star TeamTopps All-Star Rookie Rosters
This is a year-by-year list of the Topps All-Star Rookie teams. Note that players selected for a particular team appear in the following year's set release...
. The selection was the result of the 49th annual Topps balloting of major league managers
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
.
In 2010, baseball fans voted Ruiz the "X-Factor Player of the Year" in MLB's This Year in Baseball Awards
This Year in Baseball Awards
This Year in Baseball Awards, initiated by Major League Baseball in , are honors given annually to the most extraordinary baseball performances, players, and managers. Baseball fans select the nominees for and winners of the awards, via the online voting system on MLB.com, the official website of...
.
Also in 2010, Ruiz received the Pride of Philadelphia Award from the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame.
In 2011, Ruiz was rated the most underrated catcher in baseball by Jayson Stark
Jayson Stark
Jayson Stark is an American sportswriter who mainly covers baseball. He attended Syracuse University, where he earned a degree in newspaper journalism.-Biography:...
, of ESPN. One scout in the MLB quoted, "I think he's the best catcher in the game – other than [Joe] Mauer, who's on a different planet."