Darin Ruf to Re-Begin Career as Phillies’ Future Savior Tonight

Things have been pretty Ruf for the IronPigs of late.

March 14, 2013; Clearwater, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Darin Ruf (18) against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Bright House Networks Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Make you’re having these posts read to you by a third party of bot, otherwise that opening pun may not be consistent with the very subtle humor we like to employ here at TBOH.

Yes, the IronPigs have been Ruf-less for four days now, thanks to a sore thumb on the hand of their cleanup hitter.  Which is okay because they’ve won three of their last four.  But still.  Big bat.  He’s hitting .262 with a .772 OPS and only one mysterious disappearance just before game time.

Tonight, he’s back in the lineup, to the delight of internet comment sections everywhere.  As the Phillies’ first baseman/slugger/hero of the future, his every ounce of development is a critical one.  As a 26-year-old, we have to move as quickly as possible to make Darin Ruf an MLB MVP without destroying him mentally and physically.  Otherwise we could get stuck with his twilight years, and then it will seem like his Eastern League Triple Crown run was a one-year anomaly.  Or something.

Regardless, Ruf is back in the home of the country’s first piss-controlled video game, so you know he’s doing well.  Though what he’s still doing in the minor leagues when he should be playing first base instead of Ryan Howard and single-handedly saving the team is beyond me.