NEW YORK - Ryan Howard said Carlos Ruiz was like the quarterback of the team's pitching staff. Cameron Rupp said Ruiz - who was traded to the Dodgers on Thursday - was the player he wanted to be like ever since Rupp joined the Phillies. Freddy Galvis said Ruiz was a good friend. Pete Mackanin said Ruiz was a pleasure to coach.
There was a lot of love for Ruiz on Friday afternoon as the Phillies prepared to play the Mets in the first game in more than a decade without Ruiz on their roster. The catcher returned to Philadelphia on Friday morning, but first he stopped at the Citi Field clubhouse and wrote a message to his former teammates.