That Balls Outta Here
FanSided

5 most legendary Phillies catchers of all time

By Gabrielle Starr

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 1: Mike Lieberthal #24 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks during a baseball game against the San Diego padres on May 1, 1999 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 1: Mike Lieberthal #24 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks during a baseball game against the San Diego padres on May 1, 1999 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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Phillies Carlos Ruiz
PHOENIX, AZ – JUNE 28: Carlos Ruiz #51 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws the ball back to the pitchers mound against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on June 28, 2016 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

4. Carlos Ruiz, Phillies 2006-2016

The Phillies had an incredible pitching staff during the Golden Era of 2007-11, especially during the 2008 postseason run. However, a great pitcher needs a great catcher, and Carlos Ruiz AKA Chooch was that catcher.

For 11 years, Ruiz caught for some of the best pitchers in franchise history. He also compiled a .266/.352/.393 line and .745 OPS over 1,069 games. His 21.8 bWAR ranks second among modern-era Phillies catchers.

Over 46 postseason games with the Phillies, Ruiz made 401 putouts and 24 assists in 429 chances, with only four errors. He also hit four home runs, eight doubles, scored 19 runs, and drove in 15. His postseason plate discipline was a thing of beauty; he drew 24 walks and only struck out 16 times.

Chooch also has the distinction of behind the dish for an MLB record-tying (Jason Varitek) four no-hitters: Roy Halladay’s pair of no-hitters in 2010 (one a perfect game), a combined no-hitter in 2014, and Cole Hamels’ no-hitter in 2016 (in what turned out to be his final Phillies game before being traded to the Cubs).

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