Championship Player Profile - The Catchers

Carlos Ruiz - Though Ruiz struggled at the plate, he was very good defensively and called games well. In 2008, Ruiz had a CERA of 3.83, good enough for 4th among qualifying catchers. Ruiz was so important with the addition of Brad Lidge because of his ability to block Lidge's vicious slider.

Throughout the season, his job behind the plate was overshadowed by his struggles at the plate. He will never offer much in terms of OPS, but he doesn't strike out much. He almost always makes contact and when you continously put the ball in play, luck will come into effect.

Look at what happened in the playoffs. For most of the regular season, Ruiz was hitting the ball at people, which can be seen by his BABIP. Once September came around, he started finding open spots in the field and it carried into the playoffs. His two biggest hits all season came in game 3 of the World Series. He homered and hit a dribbler that caused enough trouble to score the game-winner. In game 2, Ruiz reached base 4 times and went 2 for 2.

Ruiz didn't do much against Milwaukee and many people called for Chris Coste. Ruiz kept battling and was able to hit .313 in the NLCS and .375 in the World Series. Also, Ruiz reached base 50% of the time in the World Series. Both behind the plate and in the batters box, Ruiz was the unsung hero.

Chris Coste - Coste did well to spell Ruiz behind the dish. During most of the season Coste was an upgrade offensively, but a downgrade at blocking balls. In 250 ABs starting at catcher, Coste knocked in 36 runs and scored 27. He also hit 15 doubles and 9 home runs to provide the Phillies potent offense with some extra pop. One of his biggest hits this year came on August 26th against the Mets. After the Phillies battled back to tie the Mets from down 7, Chris entered the game in the 8th and went 4-4, while knocking in the GW run in the bottom of the 13th.

It was a complete team effort this year and everyone had their helping hand. Continue coming back to the site as we will be analyzing the contributions of everyone else on the team.

Below is video of Carlos Ruiz GW hit:


And here is the rest of it.

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Oh, What a Night!

The first game ever played at Citizen's Bank Park was an epic one. It was a little before 2AM when Carlos Ruiz knocked in the winning run with the bases loaded. Ruiz's swinging bunt went just enough to allow Eric Bruntlett to beat the throw home. The Fightin' Phils won 5-4 and we're now up 2-1 in the World Series. See the excitement in the video I was able to capture below.

Yesterday was such an emotional day for myself and my friends. We were down along the field during the pre-game shows and interviews and we were overcame with a bunch of emotions. As youngsters, we've all drempt about being a professional baseball player playing on the World Series. Our Phillies are living the dream right now and they're making the best of it.

Jamie Moyer was at the parade at 1980. The Phillies were his hometown team. He was a local youngster just like the rest of us. The Phillies are now the team he plays for and there was nothing stopping him from helping the Phillies move closer to a World Series trophy. Jamie was phenomenal last night throwing 6 1/3 innings allowing 3 ER and striking out 5. He likely would have finished the 7th if it had not been for an awful call by the first base umpire. Moyer's performance was just amazing though and everyone knew how bad he felt after his first two starts this postseason. Jamie has had many memorable wins during his tenure here and though he didn't get the win last night, it will probably be the game he will be remembered for the most as a Phillie. He stepped up for us and it was huge. Everyone pegged game 3 as a huge pitching advantage for the Rays. Well, advantage us.


Offensively, it was only due time before Rollins broke out of his slump and he did so early when he started off the game with a single. After a wild pitch that moved Rollins and Werth up a base, Utley grounded out to second to get the run home. The Phillies have an exceptional record when Rollins is on base and scores. Nothing stopped that last night. The Rays would later tie it with an RBI ground-out of their own, but Carlos Ruiz put the Phillies back on top immediately with a solo home run in the bottom of the 2nd. We ragged on Carlos' offense all year, but he's stepping up for us right now. Before every at-bat he was getting a loud ovation last night. Times have changed.

In the bottom of the 6th, the Phillies big combo of Utley and Howard hit back-to-back home runs. It was only due time before Howard joined in on the fun, and here it is from behind section 114.

The Rays later tied it at 4 after some things didn't go our way, but it only set up the epic 9th inning for the Phillies. This is Philly. It will never be easy. JC Romero pitched 1.1 innings and got the win. Often-mouthy Grant Balfour got the loss for the Rays.

Oh...we're back at it tonight!

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Fightin' Phils!

Hey Pedro, I guess the Phillies are your daddy. After trailing 7-0 in the 4th, the Phillies were able to beat the Mets 8-7 in a 13 inning thriller.

After the poor start by Jamie Moyer, the Phillies started their slow climb. In the bottom of the 4th, Pedro Feliz hit a sac fly to score in Shane Victorino. They then tacked on 4 runs in the 5th with 2 run homers by Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard.

In the 8th, Carlos Ruiz scored on a J-Roll single and in the 9th, Eric Bruntlett came through with the clutch pinch hit double that drove in Jayson Werth from 1st. The bull pen did amazing all night to keep the Mets from taking the game back.

After scoreless innings through the extra frames, Shane Victorino led off the 13th with a triple. New York immediately walked both Werth and Bruntlett to get to pinch hitter Brett Myers. It was obvious the Phillies didn't want him swinging to chance hitting into a double play so he struck out looking with a full count.

With one out and the bases loaded, Chris Coste comes up after pinch hitting in the 8th to stay in. He was 3-3 at the time coming in and he made it 4-4 with the game winning base hit that sailed way over Carlos Beltran's head.

With that win, the Phillies leap frogged the Mets to take a .5 division lead. They play tonight as Kyle Kendrick and Johan Santana face eachother. I'll be at the game tonight cheering hard for the Fightins'.

Game note: Rollins continued his hot bat going 5-7 with 3 RBIs, a double and home run.

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Carlos Ruiz - Best Rookie Catcher

Carlos Ruiz was voted by Major League managers as the best rookie Catcher in baseball. Now, I know Ruiz is great defensively, but I really just think outside of Jarrod Saltalamacchia, there were not many rookie catchers this season.

Here is the rest of the team:

1B James Loney, Los Angeles (N.L) (98 games, 15 HR, 67 RBI, .331) – Unanimous selection
2B Dustin Pedroia, Boston (139, 8, 50, .317)
3B Ryan Braun, Milwaukee (113, 34, 97, .324) – Unanimous selection
SS Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado (155, 24, 99, .291)
OF Delmon Young, Tampa Bay (162, 13, 93, .288) – Unanimous selection
OF Chris Young, Arizona (148, 32, 68, .237) – Unanimous selection
OF Hunter Pence, Houston (108, 17, 69, .322) – Unanimous selection
C Carlos Ruiz, Philadelphia (115, 6, 54, .259)

RHP Brian Bannister, Kansas City(165 IP, 12-9, 3.87, 77 K, 44 BB)
LHP Hideki Okajima, Boston (69 IP, 3-2, 2.22, 63 K, 17 BB)

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