Phillies news & links — Carlos Ruiz pitched last night

Good morning, fam! What’s happening in Phillies world? Let’s find out.

Carlos Ruiz pitched last night

IT HAPPENED! AND WE HAVE PROOF!

The Twins absolutely whupped the Mariners last night (20-7), and in the eighth inning, they called on the man who has handled some of the best pitchers in the past decade. Carlos Ruiz took the mound, and even though he gave up a home run on his very first pitch, he did okay! John Stolnis has already written about it, and you should read that, too!

Michael Saunders has been bad

I know this isn’t really new information to anyone, but it bears repeating, because yowza.

If you need more than that, check out this fanpost about how breathtakingly terrible he’s been.

Ruben Amaro returns to Citizens Bank Park

For the first time since he was given the boot in 2015, former GM Ruben Amaro Jr. is returning to CBP. He spoke with CSN Philly’s Jim Salisbury, and he has, uh, some feelings.

"No, I don't think they'll give me a warm welcome, but that's OK," Amaro said with a shrug Tuesday after batting practice at Fenway Park.

Yup, probably true! But then again, you’re the first base coach and you’ll be booed maybe once. But here’s a bit more.

These days, as the Phillies slog through another painful season as the worst team in baseball, Amaro is associated by the fan base more with the team's decline than its successes from 2007 to 2011.

He'll probably be reminded of that a time or two during his brief visit to his hometown.

"They have short memories," Amaro said. "We had a really good run there. Probably the best run the franchise ever had so I was proud of that, being a part of that. It doesn't matter. It's in the past. It is what it is.”

Okay, Ruben. You know that we know about the good stuff you did, right? We do remember it. And while I personally wouldn’t boo you, I don’t blame others who would because while you had a lot of success, your later years were marked by egotistic, borderline-patronizing public statements, and an unwillingness to JUST START THE DAMN REBUILD.

If anyone understands the Philadelphia fan mentality, it should be this guy. 2011 may only be six years ago, but it feels like an ETERNITY. YOU’VE BEEN IN RED SOX LAND, ROOB. TELL ME, WHAT’S WINNING LIKE? IS IT NICE? I WOULDN’T KNOW BECAUSE I DON’T REMEMBER.

GOD.

Anyway. Ruben is loving his new life in Boston, and good for him. Read the whole article, and try not to have an apoplectic fit like I did.