Ruiz soldiers on, even though most of his pals are gone

IT IS A funny and pleasant memory for Chooch: that day he got Chase Utley in New York.

Lately, for Carlos Ruiz, it's mostly about the memories.

The fifth wheel on the home-grown Phillies nucleus that won five NL East titles in a row, Ruiz was the least likely star. Cole Hamels and Chase Utley were first-round picks; Jimmy Rollins, a second-rounder but an obvious star from the outset; and Ryan Howard, a fifth-rounder but the biggest piece of the puzzle in every sense of the phrase.

Now, "Chooch" - many of Ruiz' fans don't even know Carlos is his first name - looks around the Phillies clubhouse and sees only two wheels remain: himself and Howard.

Howard hasn't sniffed .250 since May.

Chooch, now a backup, entered Tuesday hitting .218 with two homers and 22 RBI.

They have their legacy, but their friends are gone.

Asked what he misses most about Hamels, traded in July to Texas, Chooch talked about Hamels' intensity on the mound; how he often had to visit and calm him down, slow him down, to reclaim his groove and recover from a walk, a bloop hit, an error.

He also misses Hamels' detached coolness in the clubhouse, but how so much changed, thanks to Hamels' influence: healthier diet options, more consistent chiropractic care and massage therapy.

Asked what he misses about Rollins, traded last winter to the Dodgers, Chooch said: "He was a great player, really great, but he kept it loose in here. Especially for the young guys."

That, and the road wardrobe: "Jimmy is a really good dresser."

Finally, asked what he missed most about Utley, traded last month to join Rollins, Chooch beamed:

"He's my brother, man."

And he told the funny story.

The Phillies had just arrived in New York for a series against the Mets. Ruiz attended the pre-series pitchers' meeting and returned to his locker at Citi Field to find one of his practice shoes missing.

A little investigation fingered Utley as the criminal; not surprising, since Utley savored clubhouse pranks. Chooch's revenge was swift and especially sweet.

He got a box of candy. He then wrapped it in brown paper, tied it with string and placed it on the chair in front of Utley's vacant locker.

"It looked just like a bomb," Chooch recalled with a particularly evil grin.

Utley returned; hidden in a corner, Chooch began videotaping.

Utley walked to his locker, looked on the chair, saw the box . . . and immediately looked around. He cautiously touched the box; finally, he picked it up and sat down. He looked around again. Everyone ignored him; one looked back; but everyone was in on it.

He shook the box. He fingered the wrapping. He gently tugged on the string.

Finally, Utley grabbed the wrapping and tore open the box. Candy flew everywhere. Utley raised his eyes to the heavens in relief.

Only then did Chooch and the rest of the team erupt in laughter.

For once, the joke was on Ut.

Utley's detailed preparation, his peerless conditioning, his unnatural focus - all of those, Chooch loved.

But that day at the new Shea?

"That's one thing I remember," Chooch said.

That's all that remains when your boys move on and you're left.

Ruiz, 36, and Howard, 35, remain only because their contracts make them untradable. Neither is worth the big money now.

Howard, at $25 million, would have to be an MVP candidate, but these days there is a good argument to pinch-hit for him against lefty relievers.

Ruiz, at $8.5 million, at least would have to start. Cameron Rupp has won that job from him. Ruiz will make the same salary next season, and probably will fill the same role.

"There's nothing I can do about my situation right now," Chooch said. "I feel like I have a few good years left."

As such, he hopes he fills some role beyond that. He is healthy and fit; his knees and hips give him no problem. A hot start in 2016 might attract some trade offers by midsummer; if not, the Phillies will likely give him the $500,000 buyout they will owe him before the 2017 season and say adios.

Until then Chooch, diminished, is not without value.

He is an invaluable ally for Rupp, a 25-year-old rookie who, like Ruiz, is an unlikely late bloomer (Rupp was an unremarkable minor leaguer).

He is a walking encyclopedia of knowledge regarding the league's hitters.

He is an apt ambassador and leader for the young Latino players - Maikel Franco, Odubel Herrera, Elvis Araujo - who now compose the core of the Phillies' future.

On days he doesn't start, Chooch still takes infield practice at third base, the way he always has. Sometimes, he'll take a turn at second, too, the position he abandoned at 19 to convert to catcher, the only position the Phillies would sign him to play. His footwork has never been flawless, but he still has terrific hands, and a whip of an arm.

It's still a game for Chooch; a privilege to play.

Quaint, then, that manager Pete Mackanin makes sure to call Chooch into his office every so often, just to make sure Ruiz is OK.

Mackanin doesn't need to worry.

Nobody's more of a pro than Chooch.

Nobody who's left, anyway.

On Twitter: @inkstainedretch