Carlos Ruiz Traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers

Hi everybody,

Another sad time in Philadelphia because long-time Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz (and cash) was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday (August 25th) for catcher A.J. Ellis, Class A right-handed pitcher Tommy Bergjans and a player to be named later.  Ruiz has been on the team for his entire career and was very popular with the players and organization.  The fans also loved Ruiz and chanted his nickname Chooch every time he was up to bat.

Ruiz enters a pennant race by going to the Dodgers and reunites with Chase Utley (my hero) as well as Joe Blanton from the 2008 World Series Championship team.  That leaves Ryan Howard as the last remaining Phillie from that 2008 team.

Here are Ruiz's final stats for the 2016 season (48 games played):

Batting Average:   .261 (43 for 165)
OPS:   .719
RBIs:   12
Runs Scored:   18
Home Runs:   3
Singles:   34
Doubles:   6
Triples:   0
Stolen Bases:   3
Walks:   24
Strike Outs:  28

Ruiz left a farewell message to his former teammates before leaving for Los Angeles:

I will miss all of you guys," the 37-year-old wrote. "Good luck the rest of the season. Love you all, Chooch! Gracias.

I want to thank Ruiz for everything he has done here in Philly.  I wish him the best of luck in LA.  He will always be a Phillie to me.  Good luck Chooch and Thank You!

Doc No-Hitter

2008 World Champs

Doc No-Hitter

Hamels No-Hitter

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Chase Utley Photo of the Week (2-17-16)

Hi everybody,

This week's photo is from 2008 right after the Phillies won the World Series. Chase is seen here celebrating with his teammates on the field.  What a great day in Philadelphia sports history!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Joe Blanton Retires

Hi everybody,

I'm sorry that I didn't post this earlier but better late than never I suppose.  Former Phils starting pitcher Joe Blanton announced his retirement on April 13th. Blanton pitched for the Phillies from July 17, 2008 (traded from the Oakland A's) until August 3, 2012 (traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers).  Blanton was part of the 2008 World Championship team and even hit a Home Run during Game 4 of the World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays.  Good luck in the future Mr. Blanton.

Blanton's Home Run in Game 4 of 2008 World Series

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Former Phils Updates

Hi everybody,

Joe Blanton pitched his first game today for the Los Angeles Dodgers so I thought I would show some more pictures of our former Phils in their new uniforms.  Enjoy!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Joe Blanton

Hi everybody,

Yesterday the Phils traded pitcher Joe Blanton to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a waiver deal for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Blanton has been with the Phils since August 2008 and was part of the World Series team that year.  I wish Blanton all the luck with the Dodgers and thanks for the memories.

Blanton's final 2012 pitching stats are an 8-9 record, a 4.59 ERA and 115 strikeouts in 133.1 innings pitched.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Game 101: Phillies (45-55) at Braves (55-44)

Hi everybody,

Here is the score of last night's game:

Philadelphia Phillies:         1
Atlanta Braves:                   2

LP:   Joe Blanton (8-9)

Chase Utley gets an RBI (14)

Chase Utley gets a Home Run (5)


It looks like the Phils are going to be sellers before the trade deadline.  Joe Blanton pitched well but the Phils managed little offense in the 2-1 loss.  I think we will be saying good-bye to some of the Phils in the next couple of days.  This whole season has been pretty sad.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Game 96: Giants (53-41) at Phillies (41-54)

Hi everybody,

Here is the score of today's game:**

San Francisco Giants:         3
Philadelphia Phillies:           4

** Extra innings (Game ended in the 12th)

WP:   Kyle Kendrick (4-8)

Chase Utley gets an RBI (9)
John Mayberry Jr. gets two RBIs (25)
Jimmy Rollins gets an RBI (35)

John Mayberry Jr. gets two Home Runs (8)


Nice win by the Phils to end their three game losing streak.  Joe Blanton pitched well for eight innings.  Kyle Kendrick got the win in the 12th inning with Jimmy Rollins game winning RBI.  John Mayberry Jr. also hit two solo Home Runs.  Roy Halladay pitches tomorrow night as the Phils go for two wins in a row.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Game 91: Phillies (39-51) at Dodgers (48-42)

Hi everybody,

Here is the score of last night's game:

Philadelphia Phillies:           3

Los Angeles Dodgers:        2 

WP:   Joe Blanton (8-8)

SV:    Jonathan Papelbon (20)

Juan Pierre gets an RBI (19)

Jimmy Rollins gets an RBI (34)

Ryan Howard gets an RBI (1)

Jimmy Rollins gets a Home Run (9)

Ryan Howard gets a Home Run (1)

The Phils won their third game in a row last night.  Joe Blanton pitched well for his 8th win and Ryan Howard also got both his first RBI and Home Run of the season.  Roy Halladay returns to the mound this evening from the DL to hopefully lead the Phils to their fourth straight win.  It will be good to see Doc back in action.

Talk to you soon,

Little Chase

Game 86: Braves (44-39) at Phillies (37-48)

Hi everybody,

Here is the score of last night's game:

Atlanta Braves:                  6  
Philadelphia Phillies:        3

LP:   Joe Blanton (7-8)

Juan Pierre gets an RBI (18)
Jimmy Rollins gets an RBI (32)
Joe Blanton gets an RBI (1)


Sigh.......

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Game 75: Pirates (38-33) at Phillies (34-40)

Hi everybody,

Here is the score of tonight's game:

Pittsburgh Pirates:            3
Philadelphia Phillies:        8

WP:   Joe Blanton (7-6)

Jimmy Rollins gets two RBIs (26)
Hunter Pence gets an RBI (43)
Shane Victorino gets an RBI (34)
Placido Polanco gets an RBI (16)
Ty Wigginton gets an RBI (31)

Jimmy Rollins gets a Home Run (8)


Nice win for the Phils as they start this four game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Joe Blanton pitched well for his seventh win of the season and the offense came through with eight runs.  Even the bullpen did its job and allowed no runs in its two innings of work.  Vance Worley pitches tomorrow night as the Phils go for two in a row against the Pirates.  Go Phils!!!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Game 65: Phillies (30-34) at Twins (25-36)

Hi everybody,

Here is the score of tonight's game:

Philadelphia Phillies:         6
Minnesota Twins:              1

WP:   Joe Blanton (6-6)

Jim Thome gets three RBIs (13)
Ty Wigginton gets an RBI (29)
Carlos Ruiz gets an RBI (35)
Placido Polanco gets an RBI (12)

Ty Wigginton gets a Home Run (7)
Jim Thome gets a Home Run (3)


Great game by the Phils to win the series.  Joe Blanton pitched a complete game and looked very sharp.  Jim Thome hit his 3rd Home Run of the season and brought his RBI total to 13.  All of his Home Runs and RBIs have been obtained during the last six games and he is looking great at the plate. The Phils head to Toronto to play a weekend series against the Blue Jays. Go Phils!!!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Game 60: Phillies (28-31) at Orioles (32-25)

It feels good to use this pic again

Hi everybody,

Here is the score of last night's game:

Philadelphia Phillies:          9
Baltimore Orioles:              6

WP:   Joe Blanton (5-6)
SV:    Jonathan Papelbon (16)

Shane Victorino gets five RBIs (33)
Mike Fontenot gets two RBIs (5)
Carlos Ruiz gets an RBI (33)
Jim Thome gets an RBI (1)

Shane Victorino gets a Home Run (8)
Mike Fontenot gets a Home Run (1)


The Phils finally stop the losing streak at six games with a 9-6 win over the Baltimore Orioles.  It is the first of nine Interleague games on the road so the Phils are using a DH (Designated Hitter) to hit instead of the pitcher. Jim Thome was used as the DH and he didn't dissapoint with three hits and an RBI.  Shane Victorino had three hits (one was his 8th Home Run of the season) and drove in five runs.  Mike Fontenot also hit his first Home Run of the year.  Joe Blanton pitched better than he has during his last four starts but still didn't look great.  The Phils play again this afternoon with Vance Worley on the mound.  Let's hope the offense continues to hit and score.  Go Phils!!!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Game 36: Astros (15-19) at Phillies (16-19)

Hi everybody,

Here is the score of tonight's game:

Houston Astros:               1
Philadelphia Phillies:       5

WP:   Joe Blanton (4-3)

Carlos Ruis gets an RBI (23)
Freddy Galvis gets two RBIs (15)
Placido Polanco gets two RBIs (8)

Placido Polanco gets a Home Run (1)


The Phils win their second straight game during a rainy evening at the ballpark.  Joe Blanton had another solid outing and he improved his record to 4-3.  Congrats to Placido Polanco as he got his 2,000th Major League hit off of a two run Home Run in the bottom of the 8th.  The Phils go for both the two game sweep of the Astros tomorrow afternoon and their first three game winning streak of the season.  Go Phils!!!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Game 26: Phillies (12-13) at Braves (15-10)

Hi everybody,

Here is the score of today's game:

Philadelphia Phillies:     4
Atlanta Braves:               0

WP:   Joe Blanton (3-3)

Hunter Pence gets an RBI (14)
Laynce Nix gets an RBI (10)
Shane Victorino gets two RBIs (12)

Laynce Nix gets a Home Run (2)
Shane Victorino gets a Home Run (5)


Great win for the Phils today.  I was worried that this could be a let down game after last night's roller coaster ride but Joe Blanton pitched amazing. He threw a complete game shutout....which was his first as a Phillie.  Shane Victorino hit his 5th Home Run of the season (a two-run shot) and Laynce Nix hit his 2nd.  The Phils take 2 out of 3 against the Braves and now head to Citizens Bank Park South....I mean Washington to face the Nationals.  Go Phils!!!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Game 21: Cubs (7-13) at Phillies (9-11)

Hi everybody,

Here is the score of last night's game:

Chicago Cubs:               2
Philadelphia Phillies:    5

WP:   Joe Blanton (2-3)
SV:    Jonathan Papelbon (7)

Jimmy Rollins gets two RBIs (5)
Carlos Ruiz gets three RBIs (8)

Carlos Ruiz gets a Home Run (3)


Nice win by the Phils.  Joe Blanton pitched a great game for his second win and Jonathan Papelbon notched his seventh save of the year.  Both Jimmy Rollins and Carlos Ruiz had clutch hits for multiple RBIs.  Chooch also hit his third Home Run of the season.  The Phils will try to win again later today on the Philly Phanatic's birthday and I am looking forward to watching.  Go Phils!!!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Game 6: Marlins (2-4) at Phillies (2-3)

Hi everybody,

Here is the score of tonight's game:

Miami Marlins:                  1
Philadelphia Phillies:       3

WP:  Joe Blanton (1-1)
SV:   Jonathan Papelbon (2)

Shane Victorino gets an RBI (2)
Ty Wigginton gets an RBI (1)
John Mayberry Jr. gets an RBI (1)

Shane Victorino gets a Home Run (1)
Ty Wigginton gets a Home Run (1)


Another great win by the Phils as they are able to even their record at 3-3. Joe Blanton pitched a great game and both Shane Victorino & Ty Wigginton hit their first Home Runs of the season.  Jonathan Papelbon also got his second save and his first at Citizens Bank Park.  Mets come to town this weekend.  Already looking forward to it.


Talk to you soon,
Little Chase