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Letters: Ex-Phillie 'Chooch' Ruiz a winner on and off the field

ISSUE | PHILLIES 'Chooch' an all-around winner Carlos Ruiz's legacy between the lines is well known: he caught three no-hitters and a perfect game and won a World Series in 11 seasons with the Phillies and made the 2012 National League all-star team before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday ("Bye, Chooch," Friday).

Former Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz (second from right) with students in the program. Philadelphia Futures
Former Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz (second from right) with students in the program. Philadelphia FuturesRead morePhiladelphia Futures

ISSUE | PHILLIES

'Chooch' an all-around winner

Carlos Ruiz's legacy between the lines is well known: he caught three no-hitters and a perfect game and won a World Series in 11 seasons with the Phillies and made the 2012 National League all-star team before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday ("Bye, Chooch," Friday).

But "Chooch" is leaving an equally important legacy off the field. His support of Philadelphia Futures is changing the lives of hundreds of low-income, first-generation-to-college students. For the last six years, he hosted the nonprofit's annual Get in the Game celebrity bowling tournament. In May, every player on the Phillies roster joined him on the lanes, demonstrating their respect for him. We recognized that it was Chooch's last event with us, and the evening ended on an emotional note.

This month, watching him interact so comfortably with the students he had come to know said it all. His faithful belief in the potential of our students and his authentic desire to make a difference in the world around him were evident.

As Chooch joins Chase Utley on the Dodgers, "Los Angeles Futures" has a certain ring to it.

|Joan C. Mazzotti, executive director, Philadelphia Futures, Philadelphia, joanmazzotti@philadelphiafutures.org

One of a kind

How sad that the Phillies decided to trade Carlos Ruiz. He has been a wonderful part of the Phillies in the best of times as well as the other times. For the 11 years he played here, he provided excitement and success. Most of all, he cared about the Phillies and the fans. We will miss "Chooch," and I doubt we will find another as special as him.

|Frannie Rink, Lansdowne