Philadelphia Phillies: Carlos Ruiz trade nearly ends era

The Philadelphia Phillies traded Carlos Ruiz to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ryan Howard is the only player remaining on the roster from the 2008 World Series team.

The Philadelphia Phillies traded Carlos Ruiz and cash to the Los Angeles Dodgers today. The move nearly ends the second golden era (2007-2011) in franchise history and reunites two iconic Phillies, as Ruiz joins Chase Utley on the west coast. ‘Chooch’ will serve as a backup and mentor to Dodgers’ starting catcher Yasmani Grandal. Philadelphia received veteran catcher A.J. Ellis, minor league pitcher Tommy Bergjans and a player to be named later in return.

Early this week Ruiz and Ryan Howard both cleared waivers. Like Howard, Ruiz’ guaranteed contract ends this season. Both players have team options that were widely expected to be declined, which would trigger buyout clauses. Due to the 37-year-old’s stature across the game his ability to work as a capable part-time catcher, he was seen as a positive get for any contender.

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Off-days this season have enabled ‘Chooch’ to revert to form defensively. This year’s .993 fielding percentage falls only one point behind his outstanding .994 career defensive mark. Ruiz, arguably the best defensive catcher in team history, appeared in 1,069 games for the Phillies. He ranks fifth all-time in that franchise endurance category.

The greatest season of Ruiz’ career came in 2012. His only All-Star year produced career highs in OPS (.935), slugging percentage (.540), batting average (.325), hits (121), doubles (32) home runs (16), RBI’s (68) and runs scored (56). Those statistics were achieved in only 114 games, which fell below four other full season’s appearance marks.

Ruiz was originally signed by the Phillies as an amateur free agent in 1998. The converted second baseman made his major league debut in May 2006. He became the Philadelphia’s starting catcher in 2007, when the team earned a playoff birth for the first time in 14 years. He famously caught the last pitch that Brad Lidge threw at the exact end of Major League Baseball’s next season.

Lidge struck out Tampa Bay Rays’ pinch hitter Eric Hinske on October 29, 2008. The final out in Game 5 of the World Series secured Philadelphia’s second-ever championship. Two days later, Ruiz and his teammates triumphantly rode through the city’s streets which were packed with millions of ecstatic fans. The Phillies would return to the Fall Classic in 2009. Philadelphia extend it’s franchise record-breaking playoff run to five consecutive seasons by 2011.

Former Phillies’ pitcher Joe Blanton, who was part of the 2008 World Series rotation, also joined the Dodgers this season. Blanton signed as a free agent in January. The former starter has been terrific in a relief role this year, carving a 0.898 WHIP, 170 ERA+ and a 2.33 ERA in 61 appearances. The Phillies originally traded Blanton to the Dodgers in August 2012. The veteran hurler later worked for four other organizations until returning to Los Angeles earlier this year.

Utley was acquired by the Dodgers from the Phillies last summer via trade. He recently returned to Philadelphia for the first time. ‘The Man’ received a long introductory standing ovation. He also took two curtain calls after hitting a home run and a grand slam in his initial game back at Citizens Bank Park.

Another 2008 World Series team member, Jimmy Rollins, was dealt to the Dodgers in the 2014 off-season. Utley reunited with him last season, but ‘J-Roll’ wasn’t re-signed by Los Angeles this year.

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As has often been the case in baseball history, championship players are obtained by contending teams. Ruiz’ fans are hopeful that he’ll earn a second World Series ring this fall.

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