Posted on Sat, Oct. 11, 2008
From: Sheridan, Phil
To: Ford, Bob; Gonzalez, John
Subject: Chooch
This will probably get a little bit lost in the postgame euphoria of another win and a two-games-to-none series lead, but it's worth dwelling a little bit on Carlos Ruiz's RBI double in the second inning.
Charlie Manuel has stuck with Ruiz behind the plate while the vox populi (no need to Wiki it, Gonz, it means talk-radio callers and bloggers in Latin) has demanded Chris Coste. Just as he stuck with Pat Burrell and was rewarded with three very big home runs in two games, Manuel got a big hit from Chooch to start the Phillies' first rally.
It's not hard to understand why fans get impatient - and Coste, of course, is a favorite because of his story as well as his hitting - but there's a lesson here in why managers and coaches stay with people through adversity sometimes. It can pay off.
From: Sheridan, Phil
To: Ford, Bob; Gonzalez, John
Subject: Chooch
Is this thing on?
From: Gonzalez, John
To: Ford, Bob; Sheridan, Phil
Subject: Chooch
Hey. Sorry. Was busy doing some column typing.
Yes, Chooch has been much maligned by the fans and the media alike. I'm one of the people who wanted to see Coste get more playing time because he always seemed to swing a bigger bat than Ruiz. Not to mention that Coste is one of the more consistent quotes in the clubhouse, and he ought to be rewarded for filling everyone's notebooks all the time.
But, as usual, Manuel was right and I was wrong. Just like with Pat Burrell, Charlie stuck with Ruiz, and it's paying off at the right time.
Re: Vox populi. I once dated a girl who spoke Latin. She taught me that, and a few other things.
From: Ford, Bob
To: Gonzalez, John; Sheridan, Phil
Subject: Chooch
today's 