Chico Ruiz (ruizch01)
From BR Bullpen
Hiraldo Ruiz Sablon
- Bats Both, Throws Right
- Height 6' 0", Weight 173 lb.
- Debut April 13, 1964
- Final Game August 3, 1971
- Born December 5, 1938 in Santo Domingo, Cuba
- Died February 9, 1972 in San Diego, CA USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Chico Ruiz was involved in a celebrated dispute with Alex Johnson while both were teammates on the California Angels. Ruiz brought a gun to the clubhouse, and Johnson said Ruiz threatened him. Ruiz reportedly told Johnson that while "white guys" on the Angels disliked him, "I'm as black as you are , and I hate you! I hate you so much I could kill you!"
Ruiz died in a car accident in San Diego, CA.
One of the ironies of baseball is that a mediocre player like Ruiz would be be the answer to so many trivia questions. Here is another. Who is the only player to pinch hit for both Pete Rose and Johnny Bench? Ruiz pinch hit for Rose July 26, 1964 vs. Pittsburgh, and for Bench August 28, 1967 vs. Philadelphia. One more bit to add to the trivia: it was Bench's first major league game.
