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The latino flavor of Ruiz, Romero, Feliz and Dobbs

Puerto Rican, Panamanian, Dominican, Peruvian and even Cuban –that of bullpen coach DeArmas—blood placed the Hispanic mark on the Philadelphian team. 

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The Phillies would not have enjoyed their fabulous season had it not been for the contributions of their Latino ballplayers.Carlos Ruiz, JC Romero, Pedro Feliz, and Greg Dobbs played important roles for the Phillies.

Ruiz was the catcher who caught the most innings (828) for this Phillies this season.He was behind the plate for his team for 92 out of the 162 games.  Philadelphia’s record in such 92 encounters was 55-37.

Ruiz, a Panamanian from the city of David, lead his pitchers to reach an effectiveness of 3.83, the third best effectiveness generated by a catcher in the National League.  His batting average was not outstanding during the season (.219, four homeruns, and 31RBI in 320 turns at the bat) but without Ruiz, Brad Lidge would not have had a perfect season as a pitcher (41 saves in 41 opportunities).

“If I have a runner on third, I feel confident in throwing a slider that will hit the ground.  I do not hesitate because I know that he won’t let a ball go by him”, Lidge explained.  “Talk with any pitcher here and they’ll tell you that Ruiz is a spectacular catcher”, Lidge stated.

Ruiz has been the catcher in all the Phillies postseason games and except for two work innings, he has been behind the plate every time the Phillies take the field in battle during the postseason. 

JC Romero, a left-hand relief pitcher from Puerto Rico, was the Latino force of Philadelphia’s bullpen throughout the year.  Romero finished the season with the fifth greatest number of appearances (81) and the seventh best average batting against the pitcher (.197) among all the pitchers of the Old Circuit.  Left-hand batters only batted .102 against him.

Romero has also been the Latino spokesperson for the squad since it is he that reporters for the Latino press turn to when they need a general quote from the team.  His 10 seasons in the Major Leagues prepared him for this role.

The effectiveness  of the native from Río Piedras was perfect (0.00) and he did not grant a hit during his first four outings of the postseason.  During one of such, the second game of the Divison Champeonship against Milwaukee, Romero retreated the Brewers best batter, Prince Fielder with a pitch to end a “rally”.

“I tried to remain aggressive and, at the same time, I tried to remove a bit of his strength”, Romero explained, regarding the philosophy he applied at such time and that has worked out well for him throughout the season.

Pedro Feliz, a native of Azua, Dominican Republic, was the main defense in the field for the Phillies in 2008.  Feliz’s job watching over third base was such that he finished the season with the second best third base average (.974) among the fielders of the League. Feliz’s batting average (.249, 14 homeruns and 58 RBI) has not been as hot as expected when the Phillies signed him on as a free agent last winter, but it has been fitting.  Six of his 14 homeruns during the season either tied or gave Philadelphia de advantage in a game.

Feliz continued contributing to the success of the Phillies at key moments during the postseason.  Feliz was the first to crack the suit of armor of the Brewers’ starting pitcher, CC Sabathia, during Philadelphia’s second postseason game.  His double to the left field drove in the tying run for the Phillies during the second event.

Feliz also stood out in the Phillies celebrations after the team won the Division crown and the Series against Milwaukee.  Feliz was the one to spread the most champagne in the locker rooms after both victories.

Greg Dobbs, the first ballplayer of Peruvian descendents (his mother is from Lima) in the history of the Major Leagues, was the main pinch hitter for the Phillies this year.

Dobbs lead all pinch hitters in the Major Leagues in unstoppables (22) and finished second among them in RBI (16) and homeruns (2) in 2008.  His 22 hits as a pinch hitter set a new record for the franchise regarding pinch hitter production in a season.

Dobbs also showed his ability to play different positions as a defense: third base, first base and left field.

His batting was hot during the postseason (six hits in 11 turns to bat) and consequently Phillie Manager, Charlie Manuel, made him a starter during the first eight games of the postseason, as the third baseman.

For Dobbs, playing in the Championship League Series against the Dodgers is a dear come true.  He was born in LA and raised cheering for the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.

The Phillies also have a Latino coach: Roly DeArmas, a bullpen coach.  DeArmas is Cuban and replaced Dominican Ramón Henderson, when he was forced to leave the team half way through the season to take care of some family matters.

De Armas knows many of the Phillie ballplayers well since he coached them when they began their careers as professional Minor Leaguers.

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