Phillies Catcher Carlos Ruiz Winding Down

The Philadelphia Phillies have enjoyed a rarity, fielding the same starting catcher for the last decade.

Carlos Ruiz was never supposed to make it this far. As he begins his 11th Major League season, Ruiz, along with slugging 1st baseman Ryan Howard, enters what will likely be the final chapter of a popular and winning career in a Phillies uniform.

As we prepare to say our final farewells to one of the most beloved Phillies players in recent memory, it’s only fitting to look back and appreciate the countless times that Ruiz gave us the opportunity to bellow out “Chooooooch” in unison with 45,000 of our closest friends.

In order to tell the story of Carlos Ruiz, it’s necessary to go back to…