Phillies and Carlos Ruiz: Top 51 Moments for Chooch

Carlos Ruiz, the man Harry Kalas adoringly called “Chooch” is returning to Philadelphia as a Mariner. We highlight Chooch’s top 51 moments as a member of the Phillies.

Lost in Phillies greatness between Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, and Cole Hamels is the 5-10 catcher from Panama.

As Carlos Ruiz returns to Philadelphia this week to a deafening echo of Chooches, we look back to his greatest moments as a beloved member of the Philadelphia Phillies.

51. Goodbye

When Chase Utley, Cole Hamels, and Jimmy Rollins left Philadelphia, they all bought newspaper ads thanking Phillies fans. Instead of following the trend, Ruiz decided to go bigger. After being traded to the Dodgers, Ruiz bought a sign on I-95 thanking fans. The sign read, “I loved playing for you. You will always be in my heart. Thank you, Philly! – Chooch”

50. Knuckleball Glove

In his seventh season in the major leagues, Ruiz was elected to his first All-Star Game. His battery partner for the game was the then-Mets knuckleballer, R.A. Dickey. As you probably know, the knuckleball is extremely difficult for catchers. To aid that, Dickey brought his special, enlarged catcher’s glove for Ruiz to use for the game.

49. Ruiz scored on Michael Young walk-off

Back in the dog days of 2013, the Phillies were on their way to a 73-89 record and a fourth-place finish in the NL East. One of those wins came in walk-off fashion August 21. Ruiz tied the game up in the bottom of the ninth with a RBI double, and he came around to score on Michael Young’s single to win the game 4-3 over the Rockies.

48. Carlos Ruiz signs extension

A year after his 2012 All-Star season, Ruiz signed the first big contract of his career after the 2013 season. Ruiz and the Phillies agreed to a three-year $26 million deal with a club option for the fourth year, 2017. This is the deal Ruiz is still on through this season as the Mariners picked up his option for the year.