Carlos Ruiz was greeted with a pleasant surprise as the former Phillies catcher was set to take the mound for a ceremonial first pitch at Citizens Bank Park.
Former Phillies closer Brad Lidge, who delivered the final pitch to clinch the 2008 World Series to Ruiz, emerged from the dugout and trotted out to catch the ball from his former batterymate. Ruiz had no idea that Lidge was coming. After spending years handling sliders from Lidge, Ruiz tossed one of his own in a moment of role reversal.
“Clueless,” Ruiz said of Lidge’s surprise appearance through Phillies assistant general manager Jorge Velandia, who acted as an interpreter.