On Sunday, much to the excitement of Philadelphia, Carlos Ruiz was reinstated from the restricted list.  He was suspended for 25 games for taking an amphetamine.  (Adderall, seriously Chooch, ADDERALL!)

I do not believe that anyone is more excited about Chooch’s suspension is up then Roy Halladay.  Not because he didn’t like Quintero (Kratz may be a different story,) but because he LOVES Carlos Ruiz.  These two have a huge bro-mance going on.

Halladay trusts Ruiz above any other battery mate that the Phillies have brought in.  It was Chooch behind the plate when Doc threw his perfect game.  And then again when he threw the second Post-season no-hitter in baseball history.

» Continue reading “Doc and Chooch: Together At Last”

On the second day of Spring Training, the Phillies gave to me:

Doc and Chooch Pressers

and

Pitchers, Catchers and a healthy looking Utley!

The second day of Spring Training brought a formal press conference from Roy Halladay, and in informal one from his battery-mate, Carlos Ruiz.

» Continue reading “Phillies: On The Second Day Of Spring Training…”

January:

January was filled with many head-scratching moves.

The first of which was the signing of Chad Qualls, a man that had an ERA north of 5.00 at Citizen’s Bank Park.  That was along with a one-year contract to Kyle Kendrick (LFR).  I questioned theses moves a lot last winter, and then I remembered: Ruben Amaro Jr. and it all made sense.

One the flip side, Cole Hamels agreed to a contract for his final year of arbitration.  Many were hoping that his contract extension would occur here, but alas, it was not meant to be.

On what might have been the most under-the-radar signing of the offseason, Amaro signed Juan Pierre to a 1-year minor league contract.  That turned out to be a great move for the Phillies.   Pierre did a great job with the team over the summer, even if he couldn’t really throw.

To go along with the Pierre signing, Amaro turned Wilson Valdez into Jeremy Horst.

Grade: Optomistic

» Continue reading “Reflecting on 2012: Grading Month-by-Month”

MLB announced today that Carlos Ruiz will be suspended for the first 25 games of the 2013 season for taking an amphetamine.  April will be a very long month until Chooch will be back behind the plate.

Photo Credit: BJ Wilson

The drug of choice for Chooch: Adderall.

That’s right, Adderall.  The same medicine that half my students are on.  It is for ADD and is used to help my students focus and be able to do well in school.

Carlos Ruiz might be able to fight it and reduce the suspension if he gets proof from a MLB certified doctor saying that he needs it to be able to play the game.

Erik Kratz will be the Opening Day Catcher with TBD as the back-up.  Tommy Joseph or Sebastian Valle might get a feel of the big leagues.

In the most non-shocking news of the off-season, the Phillies picked up the option on All-Star catcher Carlos “Chooch” Ruiz.  The option is for $5 million.  He has been one of the best bargains in baseball for a while now and will continue to be so.

Yes, I know I’ve used this pic before, but I really, really like it! Photo Credit: BJ Wilson

Let’s be honest here, if Ruben did not pick up Chooch’s option, the fans and Roy Halladay would have exploded in rage.