Phillies Ruiz not an All-Star, but certainly deserves credit

June 16, 11:38 AMPhiladelphia Phillies ExaminerPatrick Gallen

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Chooch's all around play is turning some heads. (AP/Kathy Willens)

The time has come to recognize the Phillies on a national stage.  For decades, the Phillies were a doormat in the NL, and until the mid-2000’s, it showed in how fans voted for their All-Stars.

Well, no more!  Raul Ibanez, Chase Utley, and Jimmy Rollins all lead their respective positions in NL All-Star voting.  Utley is so popular throughout baseball, he currently has more votes than Albert Pujols, perhaps the greatest hitter in the game today.  Even some of the lesser-knowns are getting props.

Pedro Feliz sits in fourth place for NL third basemen, a sign that his clutch hitting has not gone unnoticed.  “Vote for Pedro” is not just a shirt, it’s now a revolution.  The sad part of this is that there are a few more deserving guys at that position – those being David Wright, Ryan Zimmerman and Chipper Jones. Do not let that take away from the great 180-degree turn Feliz has put forth. Last year was a debacle for Pedro, so it’s nice to see him succeeding.

But the one guy who really deserves this newfound push is Carlos Ruiz.  The Phillies backstop sits in fourth place as well, with many Phillies fans crying out on the message boards that he belongs in the midsummer classic as a backup, at the very least.  

Ruiz’s numbers won’t wow you (.284, 3, 13) but factor in the defensive wizardry and his penchant for calling a good game, and you may have yourself an All-Star.  With the catching position being a weak one this year in the NL, combined with his manager being thereto lead their league, Ruiz has an outside shot.  I’m not here to rain on the parade, but Ruiz is not quite an AS.  

Let that not discourage you from voting for the man.  He is fast becoming a more recognizable name throughout baseball, however, offensively, he needs some work. Ruiz is clearly deserved of the praise.  The 30-year old Panamanian had a terrible 2008 season, hitting just .219 on the season, with nary a power stroke.  Luckily for the Phillies, the bottom of the order has been potent, and along with Feliz, “Chooch” has been as important as any other Phillies player to this point. Now, on’t mistake him for Mike Piazza or even Darren Daulton.   But when the seven and eight hole hitters are producing, it makes the offense that much more damaging to the opponent.  Thank you Carlos.

If he continues the production, it makes the team as a unit even more formidable heading into the dog days of summer.  

It’s exciting to see so many different pieces to the Phillies puzzle step up in 2009, and then to be recognized on this national level. Go out and Rock the Vote.