Chooch: The Little Engine That Could

Editor's Note: This week, Patch launches a new feature aimed at Phillies phans and baseball statistics lovers alike. In Phanatics Weekly, statistician and writer Scott Russell will provide his own unique analysis of the Philadelphia Nine.

Recently, Kevin Negandhi, the knowledgeable ESPN SportsCenter anchor and host of Baseball Tonight, posed this interesting question:  “With Utley’s knee situation:  who is more valuable to the Phils, Utley, Howard or JRoll?” 

There are countless ways and means to debate the relative merits of all three.  Utley, the consummate professional, Howard, a man who entered last season ranked fifth all-time in RBIs per game behind only Lou Gehrig, Hank Greenberg, Joe DiMaggio and Babe Ruth, or Jimmy Rollins, the catalyst and emotional leader who had an injury plagued 2010.  My answer was none of the above.

The only true statistic to truly gauge the true value of a player to his team is to determine what his presence and subsequently his absence mean to the success or failure of a team.  That statistic is not spoken in hits, homers or RBIs.  It is spoken in wins and losses. 

The most indispensable Phillie in that case, is none other than Carlos Ruiz.  “Chooch”, as he is affectionately called by his teammates and ardent fans, is undeniably the leader of his illustrious pitching staff. Even the great Roy Halladay, arguably the best pitcher on the planet, almost exclusively defers to Ruiz when hurling.  Seldom does he shake off a sign from the talented Panamanian receiver. 

Consider these following statistics that conclusively prove that Ruiz is the most invaluable Phil:  In 2010, a year which witnessed Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Placido Polanco, Shane Victorino and Carlos Ruiz, all miss significant time on the disabled list, the Phillies went an absurd 71-38, .651 in games started by “Chooch.”  When Ruiz sat, the Phils were 26-27, .491, a negative differential of .160.  

I can hear you skeptics saying, show me variables.  Well, with Chase Utley in the starting lineup, the Phils compiled a 68-46, .596 winning percentage.  Without Utley in the starting nine, the Phils managed a 29-19, .604 record.  Ryan Howard?  With the big blaster in the starting lineup, the Phils were 83-59, .585.  When Howie sat, the numbers were 14-6, .700.

Now get this:  With both Utley and Howard out the Phils were 10-4, .714.  Oh, Ruiz started eleven of the games that both Utley and Howard missed.  What was their record?  How about 8-3, .727? 

It should be noted that on the first day of camp this spring, Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels all threw.  None of their catchers was named Carlos Ruiz.  Why not?  Simple, as “Chooch” explained, "I know those guys."   Carlos was warming up youngsters he was not totally familiar with. 

The departed Jayson Werth led all National League players with 4.37 pitches per at bat.  “Chooch” also worked pitchers to the brink of exhaustion by averaging 4.187 pitches per plate appearance, which would’ve ranked eighth in the NL if he had reached the necessary 502 plate appearances.

In fact, in 433 plate appearances, Ruiz put together 173 which lasted five or more pitches.  Ruiz had 71 five pitch appearances, 55 six pitch, 24 seven pitch, 11 eight pitch, 6 nine pitch, 5 ten pitch and 1 eleven pitch at bat. 

Overall, Ruiz batted .302, with 28 doubles, 1 triple, 8 homers and 53 RBIs.  He scored 43 runs and had 55 walks, including 13 intentionally and had an on base percentage of .400. It gets better, too, as Ruiz excelled in tie games, batting .367 with 2 homers and 15 RBIs.  Ruiz also excelled when the Phils trailed by a run, as he compiled a .333 in that situation, with 2 homers and 8 RBIs.

When you consider that through games of July 27, Carlos had only knocked in 14 runs and had hit 12-53, .226 with runners in scoring position at that juncture, it gets even more impressive.  Ruiz wound up with 53 RBIs and a cumulative .291 average with runners in scoring position.  However, never mind those numbers.  Just look at what the Phils accomplished in wins and losses during both his presence and absence.  Trust me, ol’ Charlie knows what he’s got. 

Carlos Ruiz turned 32 on January 22.  He is signed through 2012.  Most Phillie fans are aware that Ruiz was signed as an infielder and converted to catcher.  He was signed as an amateur free agent in 1998.  Outside of the Phillies formidable pitching staff, “Chooch” is the most integral piece of the winning machine.