Carlos Ruiz billboard

Phillies fans were left saying goodbye and best wishes to another beloved member of their 2008 World Series run a few weeks ago when catcher Carlos Ruiz was shipped off to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a post-trade deadline deal. Ruiz was a fan favorite and the feeling was mutual.

Ruiz arranged to give his thanks to the fans with a billboard message alongside I-95.

Ruiz left a much smaller farewell note to his now former teammates after he was traded to the Dodgers…

“Chooch,” as he was often called by teammates and fans alike, was a key part of the run of success the Phillies had from 2007 through 2011. Never the best player on the team, but always a calm and steady force behind the plate. Ruiz was a catcher for Roy Halladay’s perfect game in Miami and no-hitter in the playoffs against Cincinnati in 2010, Hamels’ no-hitter against the Cubs last summer and a combined team no-hitter against the Atlanta Braves in 2014 as well.

Ruiz was named to just one NL All-Star Team (2012) but cemented his place as a Phillie for life in the eyes of many in Philadelphia.

The last member of the 2008 World Series championship roster remaining in Philadelphia is Ryan Howard. The Phillies traded Jimmy Rollins to the Dodgers following the 2014 season, and dealt Chase Utley to the Dodgers and Cole Hamels to the Texas Rangers last summer.

Ruiz and Howard were the only two left at the start of the season, and with Howard’s contract coming to an end, the 2008 championship team will be all gone at the start of the 2017 season.

[The 700 Level]

About Kevin McGuire

Contributor to Athlon Sports and The Comeback. Previously contributed to NBCSports.com. Host of the Locked On Nittany Lions Podcast. FWAA member and Philadelphia-area resident.