Manuel says he sent a strong message to Ruiz
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Charlie Manuel spoke for the first time to Carlos Ruiz Tuesday about the catcher's 25-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's substance abuse policy.
Manuel says he sent a strong message to Ruiz
Bob Brookover, Inquirer Baseball Columnist
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Charlie Manuel spoke for the first time to Carlos Ruiz Tuesday about the catcher's 25-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's substance abuse policy.
"I got on him pretty good and I think he reacted pretty good," Manuel said after his team's first official spring-training workout Wednesday. "I trust him. I don't think he'll ever do it again based on how he reacted and some of the things I said to him. He definitely was shook up and you could tell he felt real bad about what happened."
The suspension was announced in late November and the Inquirer's Matt Gelb reported that Ruiz had tested positive for Adderrall, an amphetatime used to enhance the concentration level of people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Players with a medical clearance can use Adderrall or Ritalin, but Ruiz did not have such a clearance and twice failed tests that revealed he had used a banned amphetamine.
After an excruciatingly uncomfortable and repetitive seven-minute session with the media Wednesday just beyond the left-field wall at Bright House Field, Ruiz broke down in tears.
"For me, it's hard, man," Ruiz said as sweat bubbled on his nose. "I lose something for 25 games and I want to be on the field. I want to play. At the same time, I feel like I have the support of my good friends. It'll be great to come back and do my best. I got caught two times and I have to pay for that."
Ruiz, 34, got caught the second time despite the fact he knew after the first failed drug test that he could be tested up to eight times per season.
"It's very difficult having to explain," Ruiz said. "I love baseball. I love my city, Philadelphia and Panama. I want to do my best and show everybody ... I'll do my best."
Manuel said his all-star catcher was distressed during their one-on-one conversation Tuesday.
"When I talked to him, he seemed like he was really hurt over it," Manuel said. "He told me, 'I will never do it no more. That was terrrible and I shouldn't do that.' "
The manager admitted he was upset when he first got the news during the offseason because it meant the Phillies would have to spend the first month without the player who was arguably their MVP last season.
"That's a good argument there because he stood out," Manuel said. "Yeah, I was upset when I first heard that because Chooch is a big part of our team. About the last three years he has developed into one of the best catchers in baseball. I think (Yadier) Molina (of St. Louis) has definitely improved his hitting, but Chooch can play right there with him. He's gotten that good."
Ruiz can participate in spring-training games, but Manuel said he would likely see a lot of action in minor-league games because the Phillies have to get Erik Kratz and other catchers ready for the start of the season. Barring rainouts, Ruiz will be eligible to return April 28 against the Mets in New York. Only then can he truly begin to answer the question about how much, if at all, the Adderrall contributed to his career season last year when he hit .325 with 16 home runs and 68 RBIs.
Manuel said he expects Ruiz, who is in the final year of his contract, to remain among the game's elite catchers.
"I definitely think so," the manager said. "I think the last couple years, he's really learned how to hit and take the ball the other way. He can hit a fastball, especially if you double up on a fastball and things like that. Chooch can hurt you."
The manager meant that Ruiz has the ability to punish opposing teams with his bat. For now, however, he is only hurting the Phillies and that was clearly causing an acute heartache for the catcher on the first official day of spring training.
- Knock off the back handed slaps. Manuel would NEVER have been that quick to call out Rollins. Look how much rope he gave him while Rollins kept skipping the first base last year. Only when it became obvious and the fans started calling him out in these pages (yes, you better BELIEVE he reads this stuff and so does your other buddy, Amaro) did Manuel finally say something to Rollins. Did you conveniently forget the timeline of how it went down, like most of the Amaro/Manuel apologists? Get real, man, and while you're at it, get off your high horse. You want to call me out? Do it like a man and do it directly. Don't throw knives at my back.
- Who are you, the Philly.Com censors? LOL! Listen, you need to get to bed, school tomorrow. My discussion was directed towards Advantasux, not some new comer like you. But I see he's not around, so I guess any port in a storm, eh? Defendng the good ole team, very honorable. So, you've convinced yourself that the MLB team hangs on your every printed word? HeHe. As far as your semi-serious baseball question, do you recall the manager pulling the SS out of a game 2 seasons ago? Was that not enough action for YOU?
But seriously, I'll talk Phils with anyone. But not with one who goes around disparaging people. Tonight you've lit a torch, along with your good bud. You want to play it straight and talk facts, I'm in. If you want to continue on the way you are, I'm out. Your call. - I responded. It didn't go through. I'll try again. First of all, we all work different hours, so we all have different bedtimes. Secondly, in answer to your attempt to protect Manuel again regarding Rollins -- short answer? NO. It took too long, but he certainly has a short leash with someone who doesn't apparently scare him. Thirdly, regarding disparaging people, you did just that when you indirectly attempted to put down advantasux, myself, and anyone else that doesn't agree with YOUR opinion of the team and its leadership. When YOU are ready to admit that your heros, Amaro and Manuel, are less than stellar in their performance, I will be happy to remind you why. Until then, direct your comments to your opinions about the team, not people that voice their opinions.
- I disagree with the JRoll issue. IMO Manuel has managed this team as well as can be expected. He gave JRoll enough rope to hang himself before he took him out of the game. To a player as prideful as Rollins, that had to hurt. And it worked. Juggling an MLB roster has to be a tricky thing, no? One of my favorite Phils, Bowa, could not do it. But somehow this guy could. Ditto a guy like Sparky Anderson, a poor MLB hitter, an outstanding manager for a great team. My point is, and if you review my 1st response to Advantasux, if you read it, is this: If a player lollygags, I'm calling them out. If a hitter continues to strike out on the same pitch, I'll be there too. If a Halladay can't do it anymore, I would like him to retire with grace. I love this team. I think the fans here are the best in the country....tried going to the NY sites, or the Chicago sites? But I tire of the constant whine and bitterness as if you or I can do a dam thing about it. And to think not one pitch in a real game has been thrown and you folks are griping for no reason. For Gods sake, Ghost, let's let them play before we go off, no? Your turn. And by the way....cool nickname, get an avatar for it. Maybe a Callison. Before the other Callison beats ya to the punch! Your turn....
- Thank you for the accolades, DRR. I have no axe to grind with you. I'm willing to accept the olive branch. You have to understand, like all Phillies' fans from back in the day, we have been conditioned to accept failure. This is why our ability to believe Phillies' management has to be PROVEN. These last two off seasons have done NOTHING for my confidence.
- Obviously, the post from 12:52 A.M. preceded the post from 1:02 A.M. Please accept the 1:02 post as my latest. Now, I AM going to bed. We will talk later, but I don't think we're going to agree most of the time. I have deep-seated feelings about the capabilities of both Amaro and (especially) Manuel.
- @Ghost: I too, sent off an olive branch with further insight on who I am as a Phils fan. I think we overloaded the main server at Philly.Com! :) as I don't see my latest post, either. I've no personal issue with you, either. In fact, my real venom goes towards Andrew Bynum, Tony DiLeo and Jeffrey Lurie, not a Phils poster. My real venom can be found on the main page, where I like to comment about the latest horrible crime or government rip off. Might I see some of you guys, there, too? I hope so. This stuff is just fun and games, the stuff on page 1 affects you and I directly. I wish you well and we shall meet again! With much greater respect towards the opponent, of course! :)
- In addition, I've been a fan since 1964 and attended games at Connie Mack Stadium, probably before you were born, so have a little respect for your elders, sonny. Also, as far as being a "newcomer", you obviously don't know me. I've been posting on this board for the last five years -- three of which under a different moniker. That said, YOU are the actual newcomer, as far as I am concerned. So please get your facts straight and never let a fact get in the way of the truth, unlike your apparent hero Amaro. And, my friend advantasux, who is also a Phillies survivor from back in the "lean" days, will be around soon enough to "school" you and others of your ilk. Now, you're not my real son, so as far as I'm concerned, I've spent enough time with you tonight. I'm sure we'll agree to disagree in the future.
- @Ghost: My 1:28 post was supposed to be my sign off, but I see this post here never went thru-3 times, so I shall attempt one final time: I became a fan in 71 but I am older then you think. In 77 I lay sick in the Cape May Coast Guard infirmary with fever, while the Black Friday game was played on the TV. So, like you, my fandom was forged in bitter defeat and failure. In my entire 26 year run in the CG, only the 80 championship brought true satisfaction. So there you have it. We emerge as friends, not foes, with differing opinions. The olive branches have been passed and accepted. We live to fight another day, but with mutual respect as true Phils fans......
When did the "reporter" as the question...why did you wait til now to discuss it with chooch? Pathetic all around— Friend to All- Geez, three-quarters of the lame as*es in the NFL aught to be on Adderrall. If the parents of any four-year-old can get a doctor to perscribe this stuff for their little darling ...— Ron Datesman
- I believe that Victorino was on prescribed adderall; wonder if Chooch got it from him? Probably not hard to get in any case.— terrycindyian
- Should Manuel have known? Was there a difference in Ruiz's mannerisms? Has he ever told the players don't use any illegal substances?— Phillies2008WSChamps
- Ruiz is a cheater, no different than A-Rod or Braun.— Drew777
- There are currently 116 MLB players that have a doctor's RX for adderall!
So why didn't Ruiz just get an RX? Hard to figure!— larryv
