Carlos Ruiz, 'Chooch' to His Friends, Is Phillies' Unsung Hero

Filed under: Giants, Phillies, MLB Playoffs, National League Championship Series

PHILADELPHIA -- Ticking off the list of the most important Phillies, a team with perennial MVP and Cy Young candidates, it would take you a while to get down to Carlos Ruiz.

To the Phillies pitchers, though, Ruiz is right near the top.

"He's huge," pitcher Joe Blanton said. "I think if you ask any pitcher, they are going to tell you how valuable he is putting down the fingers, game-calling, his ability to handle us each differently."

The Phillies have a core of five everyday players who have been All-Stars and who are now going into their third consecutive NLCS: Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Shane Victorino and Jayson Werth. Placido Polanco and Raul Ibañez, who joined in the middle of the recent run of success, have also been All-Stars.

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