World Series: Did You Know?

Carlos Ruiz followed up his excellent 2008 Fall Classic with another splendid performance against the Yankees the next season.

It was, however, not enough to overcome New York, or top Hideki Matsui in batting average. It's not as if Chooch didn't have a big World Series. He and his Philadelphia Phillies were up against a great New York Yankees' team.

It all started at Yankee Stadium (The second such ballpark The Bronx Bombers played in, which opened in . CC Sabathia started for the home team, and looked very good early. Ruiz was retired, part of a 1-2-3 second. Sabathia also had a 1-2-3 fifth, which again included retiring the Philadelphia catcher. Philadelphia had tacked on runs in the third and sixth. In both innings, it was second basemen Chase Utley hitting a solo home run. Would the Phillies' catcher, hitting in the ninth slot, do anything?

The Phillies had stretched their lead to 4-0, and Carlos Ruiz wanted a piece of the action. With one out, he doubled off Brian Bruney. Singles by Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino plated Chooch. It was now 5-0 and the game was in the bag. Philly didn't let up.  Ryan Howard doubled home a run, although the visiting teams' half of the frame ended as Shane Victorino (Who got the run batted in when Ruiz scored) was out at home. So, Ruiz's team was stuck at six runs. But it was more than enough.

The visiting team walked off the field, 6-1 winners. Game two had A.J. Burnett going for the Yankees. And while the Phillies scored a run off him in the second, it would be a long night for Philadelphia. Carlos Ruiz was the first batter in the third. He swung at the first pitch, but grounded out. Philly put two men on, but did not score.

In the top of the fifth, Chooch came up in a 1-1 game. He was eager to break the deadlock, so he hit a one-out double. But Burnett fanned Rollins and then got Victorino to pop out.

Hideki Matsui's sixth inning home run gave New York a 2-1 lead. The Yankees added an insurance run the next inning. By the time Carlos Ruiz came up, the Phillies needed him to do something. But, in the eighth, he faced New York's closer Mariano Rivera. He grounded out.

So it was the Yankees with a big 3-1, squaring this thing, 1-1. The Phillies' catcher was hitting .286, but his performance was off from a year ago. Hideki Matsui was on his way for The Bronx Bombers, lifting his average to .500. Ruiz and Matsui would both get better as the 2009 World Series moved on.

Game three was at Citizens Bank Park. Philadelphia got off to a great start. The scored three times in the bottom of the second. Jayson Werth got it all started with a home run. Then, with Pedro Feliz on second and only one out, Chooch drew a free pass off Andy Pettitte. Philly pitcher Cole Hamels then showed Pettitte how to bat as a pitcher. He singled on the first pitch. The bases were loaded. A bases on balls and a flyball scored two more runs.

But the good times didn't last. It was, after all, against the New York Yankees. The Bronx Bombers went to work. They scored twice in the top of the fourth. Three times in the fifth. Still another touch of home in the sixth. The Phillies suddenly had their work cut out for them.

Jayson Werth got one back with a home run to start the Philly half of the sixth. But Pettitte, who had not allowed a run from innings three to five, fanned the next two batters. Carlos Ruiz kept the inning alive with a walk. And now, Philadelphia had the tying run at the dish. Eric Bruntlett batted for the pitcher, but Pettitte got him to fly out to Nick Swisher (Whose home run had made it 6-3 for The Bronx Bombers) in right.

By the ninth, Philadelphia trailed by four runs, 8-4. Pedro Feliz grounded out to start the Phillies last hurrah. That was a big, first out, as Chooch was next. Despite the two walks earlier, Ruiz was officially 0-1. And now just 2-8 overall. So he needed to do something big, for his team and his batting average. Phil Hughes, the Yankees' pitcher, was carrying on where Pettitte had left off. Philadelphia had not one hit since Werth's home run.

The first pitch was a 78-mile per hour curveball. Inside for ball one. But then Hughes blew the next pitch by Chooch. A 94-mph four-seamer. Swung on and missed. 1-1. The next pitch was one mile slower, but that wasn't the issue for Phil. The pitch was too high and caught too much of the plate. Carlos Ruiz smacked it to left, and it found the stands right around the "374 foot" sign in the gap.

Was there a pattern to Ruiz's three hits so far?

"Two doubles and a home run, in this World Series [For Ruiz]," said Tim McCarver, "all on high fastballs."

Well, it was now a bit closer, 8-5. But the Yankees never were ones to leave anything to chance. Mariano Rivera came in, as it was now a save situation. He retired the next two batters.

So game four was big, with Philly needing it more than New York. Chooch had brought his batting average up to .333 (3-9). Add to that two bases on balls, and that on-base percentage was .455.

But New York wanted to go back to Yankee Stadium ahead, and a win in the fourth game would guarantee that. So, The Bronx Bombers took an early 2-0 lead in it. Philadelphia fought back, and scored single runs in the first and fourth to draw even. Chooch batted with a man on second and two outs in the fourth. CC Sabathia, pitching for the Yankees, could not find the strike zone. The four-pitch walk extended the inning. However, Joe Blanton fanned.

New York was undaunted, and scored twice to regain the two run lead. Solo home runs by Chase Utley in the seventh and Pedro Feliz in the eight tied it for the home team. But once again, the tie ballgame was short lived. In the top of the ninth, an Alex Rodriguez double and Jorge Posada single made it 7-4 for the Yankees. Rivera got the side 1-2-3 when Philly came up. New York was one win away from their 27th World Series win.

Ruiz had just the walk to show for his four trips to the dish. So that batting average was down to just .250. The bigger picture for him and Philadelphia, was now they had to win three straight.

A.J. Burnett was back for another appearance. In the second inning, with Philadelphia up 3-1, Carlos Ruiz led off for the home team. Burnett fanned him. But a huge third inning saw the home team send the Yankees' starting pitcher off to the showers. Raúl Ibañez provided the knockout blow with a run-scoring single.

The rally continued off David Robertson. Though he retired Pedro Feliz, it was only the first out. Robertson got ahead of Chooch 0-2, but Ruiz managed to get a hold of one. The play at second was close, but New York managed to get the force. Jayson Werth, who'd driven in a run earlier this frame, scored. What had been a close game was now a runaway, 6-1.

Ruiz was retired in the sixth, but singled to lead off the bottom of the eighth. The game was another slugfest, as New York didn't quit. Matt Stairs batted for reliever Phil Hughes and hit into a 4-6-3 double play. The Yankees, who'd trailed by as many as six runs, scored three times in the top of the eighth and once in the ninth, before the last out was made. Although they'd scored six runs, New York lost, 8-6. And although a pedestrian 1-4, the Philadelphia catcher, Carlos Ruiz, had and RBI. And no Yankee had stolen a base off him in game five. The Bronx Bombers were stuck at three swipes through five games, as Chooch's arm was clearly something to be reckoned with.

Obviously, game six was another "must-win" situation for Philadelphia. Ruiz moved down, in a way, to the ninth slot. Before that, he'd hit in front of the pitcher in the eighth slot. But the "move" to ninth seemed to help Ruiz's hitting.

But by the time he could come to bat in the top of the third, Carlos' Philadelphia Phillies were behind 2-0. Ruiz, though, worked the count into his favour (3-1). On the fifth pitch of the at-bat, he jumped on Andy Pettitte's offering. It hit off one of the screen dividers, and by the time centre fielder Brett Gardner was able to pick it up, the Philadelphia catcher was gunning. Carlos rounded second and beat the throw from second basemen Robinson Canó. The triple was big. "When there is a chance to get to third with one out, that's what you do," said Tim McCarver in the broadcast booth. "so you can score on something other than a base hit." Jimmy Rollins proved that point. He flew out to Nick Swisher in right, cashing in Carlos.

It was a nice moment for the Phillies' catcher. But really, it would pretty much be the last time his team was in the game. The Yankees scored two more runs in the bottom of the inning. It was 4-1, and with Pettitte pitching so well, the countdown seemed on.

Chooch didn't quit. He coaxed a walk from Pettitte in the fifth, only to be erased via a double play. New York scored three more runs in their half of the inning, and you knew there was no chance for Philadelphia to mount a comeback.

Ryan Howard did hit a two-run home run, and the Phillies were a little closer in the sixth. Yankees' manager decided to talk things over with his starting pitcher. Joba Chamberlain was throwing in the New York bullpen. Raúl Ibañez hit a two-out double. And just like that, Andy Pettitte was gone. Chamberlain got the Yankees out of that mess to keep the score somewhat respectable, 7-3.

J.A. Happ and Chan Ho Park held New York at bay in the sixth, so Carlos Ruiz and his teammates had three innings left to try and score four runs. Chamberlain fanned Ben Francisco to start the Philly half of the seventh. There was still Carlos Ruiz to deal with. He was 1-1, plus the walk. The batting average was up to .294. But was there any magic left in his hat?

Damaso Marte, a left-hander, began to loosen up in the Yankees' bullpen. Ruiz took inside for ball one. A 92-mile per hour heater got the count to 1-1. The third pitch to Carlos was fouled off by the catcher. Joba Chamberlain then threw a slider that just missed. Carlos did not go for it, so the count was even, 2-2. The Yankee Stadium crowd urged Chamerlain on, but Ruiz lined the next pitch into centre for a single. "What a terrific postseason Carlos Ruiz has had," said McCarver to the television audience. The former St. Louis Cardinals' catcher would add, "Philadelphia, desperately trying to get something going against Chamberlain." Tim's broadcast partner, play-by-play man Joe Buck, reminded everyone that this was nothing new for the Philadelphia backstopper. "...Ruiz is doing this in 2009 after a very good postseason in 2008." But Ruiz had actually improved on that. Overall in the 2008 postseason, Carlos' batting average was .261. Here, a year later, his average in October was up to .341. Buck continued, "He has come alive in October again..."  

Jimmy Rollins hit into a force. And while he stole second and Shane Victorino drew a walk, Philadelphia had to be content with just two runs that inning. The Yankees appeared to have a rally going in their half of the frame. A-Rod hit a one-out single. Scott Eyre came in to replace Park and cool off the big bat of Hideki Matsui. Matsui swung and missed a 1-2 pitch, but Rodriguez stole second. After an intentional walk, Robinson Canó became Eyre's second whiff of the inning.

Philadelphia posted a "0" on the scoreboard in the eighth themselves, as New York brought out their big bullpen ace. The Yankees also were held scoreless in their half of the frame.

Mariano Rivera had given up a double in the eighth, but managed to escape. In the ninth, he got Matt Stairs to line to short for the first out. But the inning, like the eighth, would not be easy. Rivera had needed six pitches to get ride of Stairs. Chooch was back at the plate. His bat was red-hot this night. And he was keeping this thing going, even as it neared the eleventh hour. Carlos was 2-2 with a walk. His batting average was now .333 in this World Series. Rivera's first pitch was so low it appeared to hit the plate. Well, if Rivera was going to be beat, he would test Ruiz with his cutter as the plate appearance went on. The next pitch was taken for a strike. Rivera was being careful with the hitter. And perhaps a little too careful. He missed with the next pitch. McCarver spoke about how the pitcher and batter were connected. "Two of only seven Panamanians. In the major leagues. Rivera and Carlos Ruiz."

On the 2-1, Rivera threw one with the intentions of getting it to break. It did but not enough, so the pitch stayed inside as it crossed the plate. 3-1. This was one tough batter for even the best of closers. Rivera got it together and threw a great pitch next, and the cut fastball found the outside of the plate. The count was full. Rivera went back to business with still another cutter, but it did not break across the dish. Ruiz took it all the way. That was one, excellent time up for the Philly catcher.

Jimmy Rollins, who batted left-handed, then got a 0-1 pitch to his liking. He got a little to much under it. Nick Swisher made the catch on the warning track. That close to a 7-5 ballgame. And there would have been only one out. Instead, there were two away, and Chooch was stuck on first. Yankee fans were already up and cheering.

On a 1-1 pitch to Shane Victorino, on which the batter swung and missed, Ruiz took second. Defensive Indifference. Victorino, who was battling a bruise to the index finger on his right hand, battled Rivera to a full count, just like Chooch had. On the tenth pitch of the at-bat, Victorino hit it to second basemen Canó, who threw to first basemen Mark Teixeira to get the final out.

Rivera and his teammates had prevailed. Though it was a 7-3 win, the Yankees' closer had almost matched his jersey number with 41 pitches thrown. Plus he'd needed to throw 39 in his game two save. The Philadelphia batters had made the New York pitches throw, getting on bases 26 times in only six games in a valiant effort to stay with a great team. Carlos Ruiz was one of three Phillies to get five walks himself. Overall, he'd hit for a .333 batting average, which was tops on Philadelphia. But even more impressive was his team-leading .478 on-base percentage. This Fall Classic made Chooch a better player, as Carlos lifted his batting average from just .255 in 2009, to .302 the next season. And one final thing about Ruiz World Series performance. "After this postseason," wrote Chuck Booth at Fansided, "the name “Señor Octubre” stuck for Ruiz."



References

Booth, Chuck. “Philadelphia Phillies: The Legacy of Carlos Ruiz.” FanSided, Minute Media, 18 May 2016, https://section215.com/2016/05/18/philadelphia-phillies-fanthe-legacy-of-carlos-ruiz/. 

Morissey, Scott C. 114 World Series in 1 Book. Updated ed., Pandamonium Publishing House, 2020.

Sports Reference LLC. Baseball-Reference.com - Major League Statistics and Information. http://www.baseball-reference.com/. 01 May 2023.

Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, https://en.wikipedia.org/. 01 May 2023.

World Series 2009. Fox Broadcasting Company, 2009, https://www.youtube.com/. Accessed May 01 2023. 

YouTube, Google, https://www.youtube.com/. 01 May 2023.

World Series: Did You Know?

Carlos Ruiz was second on Philadelphia in batting average in 2008. The Phillies captured their first World Championship since 1980, and their catcher was great.

Ruiz had hit just .219 that year, but his performance in the World Series in '08 seemed to be the springboard for success from there. In fact, Carlos hit .270 from 2009 until his career ended following the 2017 season.

Ruiz's Philadelphia Phillies were up against a team that didn't even exist in 1980, the last time Philly won. Or even 1993, the last time the Phillies reached the World Series.

Carlos had gotten it all together in the National League Championship Series vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers. LA had some kid named Clayton Kershaw, who recently joined the ranks of 200-win pitchers. But here, Kershaw made two relief appearances. Carlos Ruiz hit .313 in the five game tournament, and his team was on their way to the World Series.

There, Philadelphia met the Tampa Bay Rays, who'd dropped the "Devil" from their title. From Devil Rays to Ray of Sunshine. However, the team, which began play in 1998, would quickly find out that the Philly catcher was one to be reckoned with.

The Phillies were playing at home, and it all started out innocently enough, as Ruiz walked his first time up, in the second. Only then, to be erased on an inning-ending double play. Actually, what happened was, Carlos Ruiz tried to score on a fly to centre. B.J. Upton gunned it to Dioner Navarro, and despite having the bases loaded, Philly did not score.

But the next time up, the Philadelphia catcher came up with runners on second and third and nobody out. It's worth noting that Ruiz (Whose nickname was "Chooch") had been slotted in the ninth slot in the order, as the game was played under American League rules (Designated hitter). So, there was no way Tampa was putting Carlos on to pitch to leadoff hitter Jimmy Rollins. So, even though he just grounded out, Ruiz had himself an RBI. 0-1 with a walk and an RBI. Not a bad start.

Scott Kazmir retired Chooch again in the sixth, so his performance was sort of flying under the radar. All Carlos could do in the eighth was line out. The good news was the Phillies eked out a 3-2 win, right there in Tropicana Field. Ruiz hadn't done too bad behind the dish, as the Rays were 1-2 in stolen bases / attempts.

So, the home team needed game two. Tampa did, indeed, square it with a 4-2 win. The 2008 World Series was starting off very tight. The problem was, by the time Carlos grabbed a bat, it seemed like too late. It was 3-0 for the Rays, early, and he was merely leading off the third. He doubled and didn't score. Ruiz again led off in the fifth. This time, Ruiz drew a walk off James Shields. Jimmy Rollins forced him at second. Although Jayson Werth, the only batter to hit higher batting average on Philadelphia than Ruiz, followed with a single, it was to no avail. Chase Utley hurt a promising situation (Two on, one out) by hitting into an inning-ending double play.

It was just a bad inning overall. Granted, Tampa didn't score, but even the man behind the dish of the visitors had some problems. Carlos Pena drew a one-out walk off Brett Myers. Obviously, they wanted to keep him from going anywhere, seeing as it was 4-0 for the Rays at this point. And, not wanting this game to get too far away, manager Charlie Manuel made sure there was some bullpen action. Scott Eyre began to loosen up. The first pitch to the next batter, Evan Longoria, was a strike. Myers, who'd walked three batters, threw over to first as Longoria was behind 0-1, and having a quick chat with the home plate umpire. A throw to first. Pena got back. The next pitch didn't miss by much, but it was a ball. And then the ball was on it's way to first. However, the throw by Carlos Ruiz was bad, and it went down the first base line. Pena made it to second. Nothing came of it, as Longoria fanned and Carl Crawford grounded out.

Chooch added a walk in the seventh, but nothing came of it, either. The bases on balls, which again led off the inning, was remarkable in itself, however. The 1-1 pitch was a fast, fastball, which Carlos took for strike two. But talk about hanging on, you should have seen the rest of the plate appearance.

The next pitch nearly was over everyone's head, so the count was even, 2-2. However, the next four pitches were ones that that Ruiz swung at. Perhaps this would help the Philadelphia cause if he reliever Dan Wheeler out of the game. The first 2-2 pitch was fouled off towards the Tampa bullpen. Carlos jumped on the next offering, which was a curveball that was up a little, but could only foul it off to left. The third 2-2 pitch was a grounder foul, which was a good thing, as third basemen Longoria reached out for it and picked it up, meaning had it been fair, it would have been a 5-3 putout. Being so tenacious, Ruiz fouled off another pitch. For pitches, fouled off to stay alive. The next pitch was a ball, running the count full. "3-2 pitch," said announcer Joe Buck, as it was taken for ball four, "and what a good at-bay by Ruiz, who out of the number nine spot, is on for the third time tonight." The plate appearance was ten pitches. Tampa Bay now had David Price throwing in the bullpen. The next two batters fanned, but Carlos stole second when Jimmy Rollins fanned. And a pitching change was made, as Price came in. Chase Utley walked. Ryan Howard became the third Philly to strikeout in the inning.

Price gave up a home run to Eric Bruntlett in the eighth, though. The shutout was gone. In the ninth, Ruiz tried to get Philly closer still. He led off with a double. Jimmy Rollins then was hit by a pitch. Home play umpire  Kerwin Danley missed the call. Rollins was retired on a popup to Jason Bartlett, the shorstop. Ruiz was still on second. He scored when Jayson Werth sent a hard grounder to third, where Evan Longoria got his glove on it, but the ball deflected off it into left field. Ruiz motored around third, and scored. Despite the bad call, the Phillies were finding ways to hang around. David Price, though, settled down, and retired the next two batters, preserving the win for the Rays.

Well, that had been a tough loss, but Philadelphia got the split, and were heading home for games three, four and five.

Carlos Ruiz, for his part, had two hits, three walks, a run scored and an RBI. Perhaps most impressive, was his batting average, .400. But, what about more modern stats? The three walks contributed to an amazing on-base percentage of .625.

Yet, the catcher found himself batting in front of his batterymate in game three. Jamie Moyer, who'd win 269 big-league games, started for Philadelphia in the third contest. Taylor Swift sang the National Anthem, and perhaps gave her hometown state a blessing. The contest itself, though, was anything but swift.

Moyer found himself in a 1-1 ballgame, until his catcher came up in the last of the second. Ruiz hit a home run.

Yet, it was Tampa that was finding ways to score on this night. Carl Crawford had doubled in the Rays' half of the second. He made Ruiz night a long one with a huge steal of third. It was big, as Gabe Gross plated him via a sacrifice fly. B.J. Upton also stole a base in the sixth. It was his first of three in the ballgame. 

The Phillies led the Rays 4-1 after six, only to see the visiting team score twice in the seventh. B.J. Upton started the top of the eighth with a single. He stole second on the very first offering to the next batter, Longoria. And on the play Ruiz didn't bother to try and get Upton. B.J. stole third on the second pitch to Evan. Carlos Ruiz's throw to third was bad, as it actually ended up hitting the thief, and then bounced away to the left of third. This allowed Upton to score. Game tied, 4-4.

But the nice thing about baseball, is there always seems to be a way to redeem yourself, provided you still get to bat or field again. Chooch's next plate appearance would decide the game.

It all started in the bottom of the ninth. Eric Bruntlett was hit by a pitch. Then, a wild pitch moved him into scoring position. Tampa tried to get Bruntlett at second. But all Dioner Navarro managed to do was throw the ball into centre field. When all the smoke had cleared, the winning run was at third. There were no outs. Shane Victorino was walked intentionally. So was pinch hitter Greg Dobbs. This loaded the bases. But now, Tampa could go to home and to first for a double play.

Well, enter Carlos Ruiz into the spotlight.

He'd hit a home run earlier, but here, in a tie ballgame, he needed to find a way to get the ball out of the infield. He could also walk, or get hit by pitch. There were plenty of ways he could be the hero. And there was a way he could take Philly out of the inning. Matt Stairs was in the on-deck circle. He'd bat for the pitcher should it come to that.

The infield was all in. Actually, there were suddenly five Tampa Bay infielders. Ben Zobrist had come in from right field to join in the efforts to get the man at home. B.J. Upton was bit to the right of centre.

The first pitch was high and inside from reliever Grant Balfour. Then, a Carlos chased a fastball that was high. But he only hit it foul. Ruiz swung at the third pitch, which was 96 miles per hour. He missed. Balfour came up stairs for the putaway. But, Ruiz, fighting Balfour as hard as Kirk Gibson had battled Dennis Eckersley in game one of the 1988 World Series, caught up to it. He only managed to foul it off. But Ruiz was still alive. Grant missed the plate on the next 1-2 pitch.

Carlos Ruiz swung at the 2-2, and hit a chopper to third, and Eric Bruntlett gunned it towards home. The throw home was high. No one touched it. But Bruntlett touched home, setting off a wild celebration. An amazing night. Carlos Ruiz was locked in. Six years later, he remembered his walk-off, with some humour!

"I knew I had to put the ball in play and I was lucky that I hit the ball.

"I did not hit the ball real hard," he said with a laugh, "but it was a big moment in my career."

It had been quite a Fall Classic so far, as every game was close. So, having said that, the fourth game was a let-down. Not if you were a Philly fan, though. This was the contest where the home team wanted it 3-1, rather than the series tied.

Carlos was back in the eighth slot. Now, this is a curious move after such a huge game three. The way the night played out at Citizens Bank Park, Chooch was in the background, unnoitced.

The best the Philly catcher did was keep the third inning alive, singling to load the bases. Ruiz's team had scored once in the inning, and were up 2-0 in the ballgame. Joe Blanton popped out to end the third.

It was a night of home runs. Carl Crawford got Tampa on board with one. Ryan Howard hit a three-run blast for the home side. Eric Hinske made it a little closer, 5-2, with a solo shot for the Rays in the fifth. But the inning didn't conclude without another Phillies' four-bagger. Joe Blanton followed Carlos Ruiz ground out in the fifth with a solo blast, making it 6-2 for Philadelphia.

Jayson Werth and Ryan Howard each went deep for the Phillies in the eighth to make this one a real laugher. But what about Carlos Ruiz? He managed to go just 1-4, and saw his batting average sink to .417 in the 2008 World Series. His team won game four, 10-2. This would be the only one-sided contest of the Fall Classic.

Philly still needed one more win, but wasted little time in getting it going in the fifth game. They cashed in two in the first, and looked for more as Carlos Ruiz batted with the bases loaded. Two away. This was a big moment, a chance to blow the game wide open. So game five could have been a rout. Alas, Carlos Ruiz grounded out. Scott Kazmir had walked two and hit a batter in the first, but limited the damage.

Tampa Bay got on the board in the fourth, but in the Philadelphia half of the frame, they looked for the knockout punch on Kazmir. Ruiz singled with one away, and the Phillies had the makings of a big inning not long after. Pitcher Cole Hamels, though, forced Ruiz at second. But rather than make life difficult for Philly, Scott Kazmir seemed to loose control. Two more walks loaded the bases. Chase Utley grounded out.

Two more walks in the fifth finished Scott Kazmir. Grant Balfour hopped in from the Rays' bullpen. And was lights out. He got the next three batters, including Ruiz, out. It was still only 2-1 for the Phillies.

The teams traded runs in the sixth and seventh, so it was 4-3 Philly. Pedro Feliz's single gave Philadelphia a lead they would not relinquish. Carlos Ruiz was next, but Chad Bradford got ahead of him 0-2. On the next pitch (With Price warming up for Tampa), Ruiz lined one back through the box, and seemingly into centre field o. Chad Bradford got out of the way of it, and it looked as though Carlos had a hit. But second basemen  Akinori Iwamura dove to his right to stop the bouncer, and snagged it. Had Felix not been on first, Iwamura would have had a tough play to first, and the momentum was carrying him the wrong way. Jason Bartlett covered second and Akinori got him the ball for one amazing force.

The Phillies would have to settle for a one-run lead.

J.C. Romero had gotten the home team out of the seventh inning, then retired the Rays in the eighth, facing only three batters (He got a double play). The ninth inning was not easy, as you knew Tampa wasn't going to go down without a fight.

Brad Lidge was on to nail it down. But after retiring the first batter, Lidge gave up a single to Dioner Navarro. Fernando Perez came on to run for Navarro. Pinch hitter Ben Zobrist batted next. Would Fernando test Carlos? You bet. Perez swiped second on the third pitch to Zobrist. It was the seventh stolen base of the Fall Classic for the Rays. So the tying run was at second. But Zobrist flied out and another pinch hitter, Eric Hinske fanned on three pitches. 

So Ruiz had to be contest with having nabbed just one base runner. He was also just 1-4. Meanwhile, teammate Jayson Werth had a huge game, going 2-3 with two bases on balls. Werth had been hitting .364 after three games, whereas Carlos Ruiz had been at an even .500. It was a close finish, as Werth finished the 2088 Fall Classic leading all players in batting average, .444. The catcher on Philadelphia finished .375.

Did it matter to Chooch, when all was said and done? The regular season had ended with a poor batting average. The Fall Classic ended with him right near the top in batting. And when asked by Ian Riccaboni in 2014, "What was your favorite moment as a Phillie?" the catcher gave an affirmative answer, "The final out of the World Series. Definitely when we won the World Series. It was one of those things you’ll never forget, it was real special." Ruiz had made that special moment in the City of Brotherly Love possible.


References

Morissey, Scott C. 114 World Series in 1 Book. Updated ed., Pandamonium Publishing House, 2020.



Riccaboni, Ian. “PN Interview: Carlos Ruiz.” Phillies Nation, Phillies Nation, 8 Oct. 2014, https://www.philliesnation.com/2014/10/pn-interview-carlos-ruiz/. 29 Apr. 2023.

Sports Reference LLC. Baseball-Reference.com - Major League Statistics and Information. http://www.baseball-reference.com/. 29 Apr. 2023.

Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, https://en.wikipedia.org/. 29 Apr. 2023.

World Series 2008. Fox Broadcasting Company, Oct. 2008, https://www.youtube.com/. Accessed 29 Apr. 2023. 

YouTube, Google, https://www.youtube.com/. 29 Apr. 2023.

McDowell Got Better And Better In 1989, Part 2

Roger McDowell's second set of stats only further enhances his 1989 season as one of the best out of the bullpen.

But the season hadn't quite started out that way. A mainstay on that famed 1986 New York Mets team, Roger had been quite a pitcher in The Big Apple. After saving seventeen games as a rookie in 1985, the next season was only better. The Mets went all the way, and McDowell saved 22 more. In the next two seasons Roger's save totals were 25 and 16. New York made it back to the postseason in 1988, and seemed destined destined to go past the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS. It went seven games, but the Dodgers prevailed.

The 1989 season had started out slow for Roger McDowell. His win-loss record was 3-6, and he had only four saves. New York traded him, Lenny Dykstra and a player to be named later (It ended up being another pitcher, Tom Edens) to Philadelphia for Juan Samuel. It was in Philly that McDowell earned a new lease on life.

He'd saved four of five games with New York. With Philadelphia, Roger saved 19 of 23 games. With the Mets, McDowell's earned run average was 3.31. But after the trade to the Phillies, it dropped to just 1.11. All told, Roger McDowell posted a 1.96 ERA for 1989. Though he wasn't overpowering, Roger was getting the outs when needed.

McDowell's wins above placement was actually a minus, (-0.8) with New York. However, in only 56 2/3 innings with Philadelphia, Roger's WAR improved to 2.0.

Greatest Relief Seasons of All-Time Stat Set 2

Pitcher	Year	S	BS	S%	H	ERA	K	K/9	WHIP	WAR
Bernhard	1899	0	?	?	?	2.65	23	1.6	1.179	2.0
Pitcher	Year	S	BS	S%	H	ERA	K	K/9	WHIP	WAR
Walsh	1904	1	?	?	?	2.60	57	4.6	1.102	0.1
Griffith	1905	1	?	?	?	1.68	46	4.1	0.954	3.3
Ferguson	1906	7	?	?	?	2.58	32	5.5	1.280	0.2
Keefe	1907	3	?	?	?	2.50	20	3.1	1.387	2.0
Chappelle	1908	0	?	?	?	1.79	23	2.9	1.095	0.3
Leever	1909	2	?	?	?	2.83	23	3.0	1.257	-0.1
Dygert	1909	0	?	?	?	2.42	79	5.2	1.216	-0.4
Pitcher	Year	S	BS	S%	H	ERA	K	K/9	WHIP	WAR
Phillipe	1910	4	?	?	?	2.29	30	2.2	0.986	2.0
Benz	1911	0	?	?	?	2.26	28	4.5	1.168	0.7
Baskette	1912	1	?	?	?	3.18	51	4.0	1.336	2.2
Crandall	1913	6	?	?	?	2.86	42	3.9	1.290	0.5
Wolfgang	1914	0	?	?	?	1.89	50	3.8	1.073	1.8
Bressler	1914	2	?	?	?	1.77	96	5.9	1.138	3.5
Conzelman	1914	2	?	?	?	2.94	39	3.5	1.267	0.8
Mays	1915	7	?	?	?	2.60	65	4.4	1.063	1.0
Hughes	1916	5	1	0.833	?	2.35	97	5.4	1.068	2.5
Danforth	1917	9	?	?	?	2.65	79	4.1	1.324	3.2
Bender	1917	2	?	?	?	1.67	43	3.4	0.973	3.7
Coumbe	1917	5	2	0.714	1	2.14	30	2.0	1.146	1.1
Dubuc	1919	3	?	?	?	2.66	32	2.2	1.182	0.6
Luque	1919	3	0	1.000	?	2.63	26	3.4	1.179	1.1
Pitcher	Year	S	BS	S%	H	ERA	K	K/9	WHIP	WAR
Morton	1921	1	?	?	?	2.76	45	3.8	1.207	2.3
Baumgartner	1925	3	?	?	?	3.57	18	1.4	1.368	2.5
Marberry	1926	22	?	?	?	3.00	43	2.8	1.348	3.1
Clark	1927	2	?	?	?	2.32	32	2.3	1.262	2.8
Haid	1928	5	?	?	?	2.30	21	4.0	1.064	0.4
Rommel	1929	4	1	0.800	1	2.85	25	2.0	1.484	1.6
Pitcher	Year	S	BS	S%	H	ERA	K	K/9	WHIP	WAR
Lindsey	1931	7	1	0.875	?	2.77	32	3.9	1.634	1.1
Quinn	1932	13	?	?	?	2.66	24	3.5	1.383	1.1
Russell	1933	13	?	?	?	2.69	28	2.0	1.218	3.1
Malone	1936	9	1	0.900	0	3.81	72	4.8	1.515	2.9
Brown	1938	5	?	?	?	3.80	55	3.7	1.500	0.4
Pitcher	Year	S	BS	S%	H	ERA	K	K/9	WHIP	WAR
Beggs	1940	7	4	0.636	0	2.00	25	2.9	1.161	2.2
Murphy	1941	15	7	0.682	0	1.98	29	3.4	1.397	2.2
Adams	1943	9	2	0.818	0	2.82	46	3.0	1.254	3.0
Heving	1944	10	?	?	0	1.96	46	3.5	1.228	1.9
Maltzberger	1944	12	?	?	0	2.96	49	4.8	1.095	1.8
Berry	1944	12	4	0.750	0	1.94	44	3.6	0.907	3.7
Karl	1945	15	1	0.938	1	2.99	51	2.5	1.245	3.6
Christopher	1947	12	2	0.857	0	2.90	33	3.7	1.277	1.4
Wilks	1948	13	1	0.929	1	2.62	72	4.9	1.163	4.8
Page	1949	27	11	0.711	0	2.59	99	6.6	1.315	4.2
Pitcher	Year	S	BS	S%	H	ERA	K	K/9	WHIP	WAR
Konstanty	1950	22	4	0.846	0	2.66	56	3.3	1.039	4.7
Aloma	1951	3	1	0.750	0	1.82	25	3.2	1.096	3.2
Wilhelm	1952	11	1	0.917	1	2.43	108	6.1	1.155	2.7
Paige	1952	10	5	0.667	1	3.07	91	5.9	1.254	3.4
Kinder	1953	27	8	0.771	4	1.85	39	3.3	1.140	4.5
Mossi	1954	7	0	1.000	0	1.94	55	5.3	1.022	3.3
Pitcher	Year	S	BS	S%	H	ERA	K	K/9	WHIP	WAR
Narleski	1955	19	2	0.905	6	3.71	94	7.6	1.281	2.5
Craig	1955	2	0	1.000	0	2.78	48	4.8	1.368	1.8
Freeman	1956	18	3	0.857	2	3.40	50	4.1	1.344	2.6
Farrell	1957	10	3	0.769	0	2.38	54	5.8	1.320	2.4
Zuverink	1957	9	8	0.529	0	2.48	36	2.9	1.278	2.7
Hyde	1958	18	5	0.783	0	1.75	49	4.3	1.136	4.9
Duren	1959	14	7	0.667	1	1.88	96	11.3	1.200	3.8
Staley	1959	15	4	0.789	2	2.24	54	4.2	1.169	2.5
Face	1959	10	9	0.526	1	2.70	69	6.7	1.243	3.2
Sherry	1959	3	1	0.750	0	2.19	23	6.9	1.251	3.6
Pitcher	Year	S	BS	S%	H	ERA	K	K/9	WHIP	WAR
McDaniel	1960	26	6	0.813	1	1.29	95	8.2	0.863	6.0
Brosnan	1960	12	2	0.857	2	2.36	62	5.6	1.020	2.7
Arroyo	1961	29	10	0.744	1	2.19	87	6.6	1.109	3.3
Fox	1961	12	2	0.857	3	1.41	32	5.0	1.012	2.6
Radatz	1963	25	3	0.893	0	1.97	162	11.0	1.096	5.7
Perranoski	1963	21	8	0.724	0	1.67	75	5.2	1.202	4.5
Baldschun	1963	16	5	0.762	1	2.30	89	7.0	1.240	2.0
Lee	1964	19	8	0.704	1	1.51	111	7.3	1.058	4.3
Ellis	1964	14	2	0.875	1	2.57	125	9.2	1.054	3.1
Hall	1964	9	2	0.818	2	1.85	52	5.3	0.844	3.0
Pitcher	Year	S	BS	S%	H	ERA	K	K/9	WHIP	WAR
Miller	1965	24	1	0.960	1	1.89	104	7.8	0.997	4.3
Regan	1966	21	7	0.750	1	1.62	88	6.8	0.934	5.0
Hoerner	1966	13	3	0.813	4	1.54	63	7.5	1.026	3.0
Drabowsky	1967	12	5	0.706	3	1.60	96	9.1	0.955	3.2
Abernathy	1967	28	6	0.824	1	1.27	88	7.4	0.978	6.2
Wyatt	1967	20	4	0.833	2	2.60	68	6.6	1.179	2.2
Wood	1968	16	5	0.762	7	1.87	74	4.2	1.006	5.4
V. Romo	1968	12	3	0.800	1	1.60	54	5.8	0.901	2.8
Segui	1968	6	1	0.857	4	2.39	72	7.8	1.000	1.3
Tatum	1969	22	1	0.957	2	1.36	65	6.8	1.042	4.3
Watt	1969	16	5	0.762	1	1.65	46	5.8	1.056	1.9
Pitcher	Year	S	BS	S%	H	ERA	K	K/9	WHIP	WAR
Williams	1970	15	4	0.789	7	1.99	76	6.0	1.032	2.8
McMahon	1970	19	5	0.792	0	2.96	74	7.1	1.219	3.0
Sanders	1971	31	4	0.886	0	1.91	80	5.3	1.064	4.1
Carroll	1971	15	6	0.714	4	2.50	64	6.1	1.281	1.8
Giusti	1972	22	5	0.815	0	1.93	54	6.5	1.058	2.3
Knowles	1972	11	3	0.786	5	1.37	36	4.9	1.310	2.5
Brewer	1972	17	7	0.708	0	1.26	69	7.9	0.843	3.5
Hiller	1973	38	4	0.905	0	1.44	124	8.9	1.021	8.1
Borbon	1973	14	5	0.737	6	2.16	60	4.5	1.421	2.5
Beene	1973	1	0	1.000	0	1.68	49	4.8	1.033	3.0
Marshall	1974	21	12	0.636	9	2.42	143	6.2	1.186	3.1
Pitcher	Year	S	BS	S%	H	ERA	K	K/9	WHIP	WAR
Gossage	1975	26	5	0.839	1	1.84	130	8.3	1.193	8.2
Hrabosky	1975	22	6	0.786	3	1.66	82	7.6	1.097	3.9
McEnaney	1975	15	4	0.789	11	2.47	48	4.7	1.264	1.5
Eastwick	1976	26	9	0.743	1	2.09	70	5.9	1.115	2.8
Lyle	1977	26	8	0.765	1	2.17	68	4.5	1.197	3.7
Sutter	1977	31	9	0.775	0	1.34	129	10.8	0.857	6.5
Johnson	1977	15	7	0.682	1	3.13	87	5.3	1.806	2.5
Stanley	1978	10	5	0.667	1	2.60	38	2.2	1.242	4.1
Blair	1978	28	5	0.848	2	1.97	91	8.2	1.246	4.1
Lolich	1978	1	0	1.000	2	1.56	13	3.4	1.183	1.1
Tekulve	1979	31	6	0.838	8	2.79	75	5.0	1.176	3.2
Lopez	1979	21	5	0.808	1	2.41	106	7.5	1.150	5.3
Davis	1979	9	10	0.474	2	2.85	43	4.5	1.313	2.2
E.Romo	1979	5	8	0.385	12	2.99	106	7.4	1.276	1.8
Monge	1979	19	7	0.731	5	2.40	108	7.4	1.221	3.0
Sosa	1979	18	7	0.720	4	1.96	59	5.5	1.179	3.1
Palmer	1979	2	1	0.667	0	2.64	72	5.3	1.141	2.2
Pitcher	Year	S	BS	S%	H	ERA	K	K/9	WHIP	WAR
McGraw	1980	20	5	0.800	0	1.46	75	7.3	0.921	4.7
Garvin	1980	8	5	0.615	5	2.29	52	5.7	1.173	3.4
Fingers	1981	28	6	0.824	0	1.04	61	7.0	0.872	4.2
Caudill	1982	26	6	0.813	0	2.35	111	10.4	1.045	4.4
Reardon	1982	26	8	0.765	2	2.06	86	7.1	1.128	3.5
L.Smith	1983	29	4	0.879	1	1.65	91	7.9	1.074	4.8
Stewart	1983	8	5	0.615	5	2.60	78	5.2	1.237	3.1
Quisenberry	1983	45	8	0.849	0	1.94	48	3.1	0.928	5.5
Orosco	1983	17	5	0.773	1	1.47	84	6.9	1.036	3.8
Hernandez	1984	32	1	0.970	0	1.92	112	7.2	0.941	4.8
Pitcher	Year	S	BS	S%	H	ERA	K	K/9	WHIP	WAR
Lamp	1985	2	5	0.286	8	3.32	68	5.8	1.164	1.3
B.Smith	1985	27	6	0.818	1	2.27	40	4.5	1.084	1.6
Lahti	1985	19	1	0.950	6	1.84	41	5,4	1.302	2.3
D. Moore	1985	31	8	0.795	0	1.92	72	6.3	1.087	3.6
Eichhorn	1986	10	4	0.714	7	1.72	166	9.5	0.955	7.4
Righetti	1986	46	10	0.821	0	2.45	83	7.0	1.153	3.8
Todd Worrell	1986	36	10	0.783	0	2.08	73	6.3	1.225	2.5
Henke	1987	34	8	0.810	1	2.49	128	12.3	0.926	3.3
Burke	1987	18	4	0.818	5	1.19	58	5.7	0.890	4.3
Dayley	1987	4	6	0.400	6	2.66	63	9.3	1.393	1.5
Henneman	1988	22	7	0.759	2	1.87	58	5.7	1.051	3.3
Parrett	1988	6	4	0.600	2	2.65	62	6.1	1.211	1.6
Pena	1988	12	2	0.857	9	1.91	83	7.9	1.081	1.7
Lancaster	1989	8	3	0.727	7	1.36	56	6.9	1.032	3.9
Russell	1989	38	6	0.864	0	1.98	77	9.5	0.950	2.5
McDowell	1989	23	5	0.821	2	1.96	47	4.6	1.272	1.2
Pitcher	Year	S	BS	S%	H	ERA	K	K/9	WHIP	WAR
Eckersley	1990	48	2	0.960	0	0.61	73	9.0	0.614	3.3
Thigpen	1990	57	8	0.877	0	1.83	70	7.1	1.038	3.4
Nelson	1990	5	3	0.625	18	1.57	38	4.6	0.964	2.3
Dibble	1990	11	6	0.647	17	1.74	136	12.5	0.980	4.0
Henry	1991	15	1	0.938	3	1.00	28	7.0	0.833	2.2
Aguilera	1991	42	9	0.824	0	2.35	61	8.0	1.072	2.4
Ward	1992	12	4	0.750	24	1.95	103	9.1	1.135	3.1
Rojas	1992	10	1	0.909	13	1.43	70	6.3	1.043	3.9
Olin	1992	29	7	0.806	0	2.34	47	4.8	1.211	2.7
Wetteland	1993	43	1	0.977	0	1.37	113	12.0	1.008	4.2
Harvey	1993	45	4	0.918	0	1.70	73	9.5	0.841	4.0
Beck	1993	48	4	0.923	0	2.16	86	9.8	0.882	2.4
Martinez	1993	2	1	0.667	14	2.61	119	10.0	1.243	3.0
Pitcher	Year	S	BS	S%	H	ERA	K	K/9	WHIP	WAR
Hoffman	1998	53	1	0.981	0	1.48	86	10.6	0.849	4.1
Urbina	1998	34	4	0.895	0	1.30	94	12.2	1.010	3.2
Williamson	1999	19	7	0.731	5	2.41	107	10.3	1.039	2.8
Pitcher	Year	S	BS	S%	H	ERA	K	K/9	WHIP	WAR
Rhodes	2001	3	4	0.429	31	1.72	83	11.0	0.853	2.5
Smoltz	2003	45	4	0.918	0	1.12	73	10.2	0.870	3.3
Tim Worrell	2003	38	7	0.844	1	2.87	65	7.5	1.302	0.8
Cormier	2003	1	3	0.250	13	1.70	67	7.1	0.933	2.6
Timlin	2005	13	7	0.650	24	2.24	59	6.6	1.320	2.9
Nathan	2006	36	2	0.947	0	1.58	95	12.5	0.790	3.3
Ryan	2006	38	4	0.905	1	1.37	86	10.7	0.857	3.6
Putz	2007	40	2	0.952	0	1.38	82	10.3	0.698	4.0
Rivera	2008	39	1	0.975	0	1.40	77	9.8	0.665	4.3
Pitcher	Year	S	BS	S%	H	ERA	K	K/9	WHIP	WAR
Bell	2010	47	3	0.940	0	1.93	86	11.1	1.200	1.9
Soriano	2010	45	3	0.938	0	1.73	57	8.2	0.802	2.1
Aceves	2011	2	3	0.400	11	2.61	80	6.3	1.105	2.7
Axford	2011	46	2	0.958	0	1.95	86	10.5	1.140	2.3
Downs	2011	1	3	0.250	26	1.34	35	5.9	1.006	2.0
Cook	2012	14	7	0.667	21	2.09	80	9.8	0.941	2.6
Chapman	2012	38	5	0.884	6	1.51	122	15.3	0.809	3.6
Johnson	2012	51	3	0.944	0	2.49	41	5.4	1.019	2.4
Smyly	2013	2	4	0.333	21	2.37	81	9.6	1.039	2.6
Davis	2014	3	3	0.500	33	1.00	109	13.6	0.847	3.7
Clippard	2014	1	6	0.143	40	2.18	82	10.5	0.995	1.5
Rondon	2015	30	4	0.882	8	1.67	69	8.6	1.000	2.2
Pitcher	Year	S	BS	S%	H	ERA	K	K/9	WHIP	WAR
Britton	2016	47	0	1.000	0	0.54	75	9.9	0.836	4.2
Osuna	2016	36	6	0.857	0	2.68	82	10.0	0.932	2.1
Brach	2016	2	5	0.286	24	2.05	92	10.5	1.038	2.5
Miller	2016	12	2	0.857	25	1.45	123	14.9	0.686	3.8
Robertson	2017	14	2	0.875	8	1.84	98	12.9	0.849	2.9
Jansen	2017	41	1	0.976	1	1.32	109	14.4	0.746	2.9
Albers	2017	2	4	0.333	14	1.62	63	9.3	0.852	2.5
Kimbrel	2017	35	4	0.897	1	1.43	126	16.4	0.681	3.6
Morrow	2018	22	2	1.158	0	1.47	31	9.1	1.076	1.4
Trivino	2018	4	5	0.444	23	2.92	82	10.0	1.135	1.5
Pitcher	Year	S	BS	S%	H	ERA	K	K/9	WHIP	WAR
Treinen	2018	38	5	0.884	5	0.78	100	11.2	0.834	4.1
Jeffress	2018	15	5	0.750	18	1.29	89	10.4	0.991	3.3
Yarbrough	2018	0	0	0.000	1	3.91	128	7.8	1.290	1.1
Hader	2018	12	5	0.706	21	2.43	243	15.8	0.811	2.1
Strop	2018	13	4	0.765	9	2.26	57	8.6	0.989	2.1
Workman	2019	16	6	0.727	15	1.88	104	13.1	1.033	3.2
Robles	2019	23	4	0.852	2	2.48	75	9.3	1.018	2.6
Walden	2019	2	4	0.333	8	3.81	76	8.8	1.192	1.2
W.Smith	2019	34	4	0.895	0	2.76	96	13.2	1.026	0.4
Oberg	2019	5	3	0.625	8	2.25	58	9.3	1.107	2.4
Littell	2019	0	1	0.000	1	2.68	32	7.8	1.162	0.9
Pitcher	Year	S	BS	S%	H	ERA	K	K/9	WHIP	WAR

Notes

Hughes appeared as a starter thirteen times.

Baumgartner and Bernhard appeared as a starter twelve times.

Wolfgang and Baskette appeared as a starter eleven times.

Craig and Coumbe appeared as a starter ten times.

Danforth, Malone, Stewart, Sherry, Luque and Conzelman appeared as a starter nine times.

Phillipe and Walsh appeared as a starter eight times.

Morton and Griffith appeared as a starter seven times.

Paige, Mays, Chappelle, Rommell and Yarbrough appeared as a starter six times.

Marberry, Mossi, Lee, Ellis and Dubuc appeared as a starter five times.

Leever, Aceves and Beene appeared as a starter four times.

Russell, Stanley, Adams and Keefe appeared as a starter three times.

Brown, McDaniel, Wood, Crandall, Brosnan, Lindsey, Karl, Wilks, Martinez, Clark and Lolich appeared as a starter two times.

Beggs, Quinn, Narleski, McGraw, Aloma, Robles, Ferguson, Vincente Romo, and Trivino appeared once as a starter.

Maltzberger, Hyde, Konstanty, Duren, Brosnan, Tekulve and Henke all wore glasses.

References

Brenner, Richard J. The World Series: The Great Contests. III ed., East End Pub., 1989.

Sports Reference LLC. Baseball-Reference.com - Major League Statistics and Information. https://www.baseball-reference.com/. 09 June. 2021. 

Springer, Jon. “Roger McDowell.” Society for American Baseball Research, SABR, 26 Mar. 2021, sabr.org/bioproj/person/roger-mcdowell/. 10 Jun. 2021.

Thorn, John. The Relief Pitcher: Baseball's New Hero. E P Dutton, 1979.

Nemec, David, and et al. 20th Century Baseball Chronicle. Collector's Edition ed., Publications International, Ltd, 1993.