Vote for Chooch

Carlos Ruiz deserves All-Star Votes

There have been a number of really good if not great Philadelphia Phillies to call Citizens Bank Park home over the last handful of years. We know all about the Ryan Howards, Jimmy Rollins' Cole Hamels' and yes even the Pat Burrell's of the world, but one guy who has been perhaps one of the most important of them all. Yes, I'm talking about Carlos Ruiz. This guy has been the glue that has kept the Phillies pitching staff together for the last 6 seasons. From winning the World Series in 2008 to having some amazing playoff batting numbers in 2009-2010. The guy has been pretty clutch in some high pressure situations. But this year when the Phillies need someone to step up and take charge of this team, who has stepped up more than anyone you ask? You guessed it, Carlos Ruiz. Not only is he managing a pitching staff that boasts Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Hamels, but this season he has stepped up with his bat. As I write this Ruiz is batting .365 with 7 HR (More than he had all of last season), 29 RBI and his  on base percentage is a great .411. He leads all catchers in baseball in Hits (41) RBI (29), Avg (.365) Slugging % (.617) and OPS (1.024) He also leads all National League catchers in homeruns (7), just one behind Orioles catcher Matt Wieters. 

With these kinds of numbers Carlos Ruiz is a sure fire All-Star this season and hands down should be the starter for the All-Star game in Kansas City this July. Yes the All Star game is still couple months away but at this point in the season Ruiz deserves the recognition that he so rightfully deserves. Phillies fans have known for years that the 33 year old catcher is good, maybe not so much for this bat but for the way he calls games and takes care of the starting rotation and bullpen. In the month of May (15 games) Ruiz is batting .429 with 4 home runs and 17 RBI. These numbers are amazing and I simply ask all Phillies fans and fans of other teams to take notice that Carlos Ruiz deserves to be recognized with being voted into the 2012 all star game as the starting catcher for the National League.

Carlos Ruiz Batting on opening night 2009 

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