Insert Carlos Ruiz flattery here
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Insert Carlos Ruiz flattery here
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
Carlos Ruiz awoke Wednesday morning as the best hitter on the planet. He is batting .361, which leads the majors, and it is June 27.
This is real.
Someone asked the catcher if he had to pinch himself Tuesday night after another three-hit game, which included what proved to be the game-winning hit — a solo homer in the eighth.
Ruiz pinched his left arm.
"That's me," he said.
This is fun for Ruiz, of course.
The season is almost halfway over and he has established a new career-high with 10 home runs. He ranks in the top five in on-base percentage and slugging percentage. No catcher has led the National League in hitting since 1942 when Ernie Lombardi did it for the Boston Braves.
This will be hard to sustain, of course.
Not that it should temper what Ruiz has done. Two of his hits, including the homer, were on 0-2 pitches. He is succeeding even when the pitcher is extremely favored.
"When he's hitting good, I don't like to talk about it a lot," Charlie Manuel said, and then he proceeded to talk about it.
"When they get ahead of him," Manuel said, "they were going to blow him away inside."
That didn't work. Ruiz said when a hitter is going good, he can anticipate how pitchers will throw him. He says he is relaxed. But even then...
"It's hard to explain," Ruiz said.
That makes it all the more special.
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Chooch should be all the All Star Team and should be the MVP this year if he continues his pace and the Phillies are in contention in September. w/o chooch and relying on the Pence, the Phillies would be 20 games under .500.— palmyra21- Chooch playing this way (not just hitting, as crazy as THAT is!) is a display of a true student of the game soaking up everything he has seen and applying it, with his God-given skills. This year all of it, along plus his superior condition, is producing a magical season. Carlos, we have watched you mature and grow and it is amazing. CHOOCH, indeed!— dwp66
- Chooch was always the best fastball hitter in the Phils lineup. I think he's gotten used to the offspeed stuff because everyone was afraid to give him the fastball, and now he is really dangerous. He has truly developed into the best backstop in the league. Go Chooch you deserve the accolades for your hard work, and for your handling of the pitchers.
- He's fun to watch. It's not everyday you say that about a catcher.— AvoidSundanceVacations
Comment removed.- Can only hope Management throws a BIG Bonus check Chooch's way because they certainly are not paying him a salary commensurate to his performanc.//— Al n SD
- I hope Ruiz isn't working out with any trainers that Freddie Galvis worked out with?— linkster
- Once the rest of the nation sees and hears more about our best kept secret, then we'll be hearing things like "He was Chooched out at the plate trying to score" and "He really Chooched that one into the upper deck."
Carlos has fun playing the game too. I think that's key. I liked his expression when he tagged Molina out at the plate earlier this year for example, and how he turns from very serious at the plate to whooping and smiling after he goes yard.— s - the poorest coach on the team is Dubee. what does he taeach? don't give up a walk but throw the fat down the middle for a hr with the pitcher on deck. He stinks. I could be great with doc lee and hamils— rich62
- He got this hot in the playoffs a few years ago. Then went back to average again. Hopefully it lasts as long as possible.— Bobphxville
- What ever Chooch is eating, drinking or smoking give it to those guys in the bullpen.— martyhenry
