Farewell, Sweet Chooch

Philly – Carlos Ruiz will have another shot at a World Series ring. The Phillies have traded their long-time catcher to the Los Angeles Dodgers for veteran catcher A.J. Ellis and a minor-league pitcher named Tommy Bergjans. Ruiz, 37, had expressed a desire to play for a contender. To do that, he waived his full no-trade rights to join the first-place Dodgers and reunite with Chase Utley. Ruiz cleared revocable waivers, allowing the Phillies to trade him this month. He will become Los Angeles’ backup catcher. “I am sad and happy at the same time,” Ruiz said by phone Thursday. “I really love Philadelphia and all the fans and my teammates. I know I’m going to miss them. I really appreciate everything we did together. But, on the other side, I am happy because of the chance to go to the playoffs.”

Well isn’t that just…sad. All good things must come to an end, and now Ryan Howard is the last (barely) standing remnant of the World Fucking Champions of 2008.