If you're a 30 year old, career minor leaguer, getting called up to the big league team has to be a pretty good feeling. Since 1999 in the Reds system Randy Ruiz has been in the minors, 975 games played for 16 different teams and nine different organizations. He didn't make it to AAA until last year while in the Phillies system. This year in Rochester, his first full season in AAA, he has been one of the best hitters in the International league, putting up a .320/.366/.536 with 17 HR and 33 2B. His most glaring weakness is his .20 BB/SO ratio, but the Twins aren't looking for him to get on base as much as drive runners in against lefties.
That's not what happened last night though. Ruiz got a two out single in the bottom of the seventh for his first major league hit. Than Brendan Harris hit a double down the line and Ruiz was off and running. Watching him chug around the bases sort of reminded me of Kirby. While rounding second Indians left fielder Franklin Gutierrez had trouble with the ball and Ruiz was waved home. The 235 pound, 30 year old rookie got to run flat out from first to home, and after he crossed the plate it looked as though he might need a parachute to stop his momentum. I was waiting for him to grab an oxygen mask, like a defensive lineman who returns a fumble for a touchdown would.
He probably won't be around after Cuddyer comes back, but who knows when that will be, and until than the 30 year old rookie will get to live his dream, playing on a major league ballclub.
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