Phillies news & links — Chooch-plosion

I’m sure there are things I could write about today that aren’t related to Carlos Ruiz, like last night’s heartbreaking game, but why do that? He comes to town but once, so this is written in the stars. Today’s news and links will be almost 100% Chooch related.

To start, John Stolnis wrote a piece about Chooch’s 10 best moments with the Phillies, and it’s lovely.

In the same vein, there’s a post on CSNPhilly with more Chooch-tacular moments, and it will also make your Chooch-loving heart swell with emotion.

There has been some good writing on Chooch, and Jim Salisbury has done a lot of it. This is the piece he wrote when Chooch was traded last year, and if you haven’t read it, do yourself a favor and do it right now.

Apparently Chooch had a gathering at his South Jersey house last night.

And in Salisbury’s piece about Chooch’s emotional return, he told us who was there. Andres Blanco, Freddy Galvis, Maikel Franco, Hector Neris, and Edubray Ramos. That sounds like an amazing party. Salisbury talked about more than that gathering of friends, though. He detailed Chooch’s welcome back press conference, and it’s clear that Chooch was so excited to come back.

Chooch didn’t start last night, because Mariners manager Scott Servais is an EVIL HEARTLESS MONSTER. But that led to something that was unexpected.

Phillies fans wanted Carlos Ruiz, and the Mariners didn’t start him, and Phillies fans wanted to make their displeasure known! I kind of love that so much.

Chooch was given a warm reception, of course. In the third inning, they played a video tribute to him on the scoreboard (which is still unavailable to those of us who weren’t able to make it to the game, which is criminal, if you ask me) and when it was over, Chooch stepped out of the dugout and tipped his hat to the sound of a chorus of “CHOOOOOOCH.”

As far as a possible return to Philly in the future, Bob Brookover wrote a piece yesterday called “Coach Chooch” where he revealed that Chooch has an open invitation to come back and work for the Phillies. I’m not sure I can adequately convey how much I want that. I think Chooch would be a great coach, and seeing him back with the Phillies would be amazing.

There are a lot of players who exemplify the Phillies. Jimmy Rollins and his playful nature, Chase Utley with his relentless intensity, Ryan Howard and his gregarious personality. But when it comes down to it, there may not be a single player who is more of a Phillies player, and a Philly player, than Carlos Ruiz. Chooch was signed for $8,000 and considered a long shot to make the majors. And he went on to win a World Series, five pennants, and catch three no-hitters. What’s more Philadelphia than the underdog making good?

Around the Phight

• Aaron Nola is going on a rehab assignment, and Jeanmar Gomez is on the DL.
• Ethan Witte lays out the playing time issues that the Phillies are about to be presented with.
• Paul Boyé wrote about last night’s game, and he’s an angel for doing it, because woof.
• The draft is fast approaching, so read one of Cormican’s previews! This one is on outfielder Jordan Adell.

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