Since being called up to the majors in May 2006, catcher Carlos Ruiz has worn the jersey #51 as a Phillie. Now, according to team’s website, Carlos has switched over to wear John Vukovich’s old #18.
Being that it seems kind of odd to switch numbers in the middle of the season, I went back and checked the game tape from his first appearance since returning from the DL on Saturday afternoon vs. the Mets.
As you can see, he was still sporting #51:
HOWEVER, if you head on over to the Phillies website and click on the ‘Roster’ tab, it clearly shows that Chooch is no longer wearing his usual number fifty-one:
Granted, that doesn’t really prove anything, and maybe it’s just a slip-up made by the folks who are running the site. So I went over to the MLB Shop and selected a customized Carlos Ruiz jersey from the handy-dandy drop down menu they have. This is the image that popped up:
Now, I’m almost positive that this type of number switching isn’t allowed in the NBA or NFL while the season is going on, but I haven’t been able to find any kind of rule about MLB players making the change. So I just thought I’d warn you in case you see Carlos trot onto the field tomorrow night with a brand new jersey number, at least you’ll know it’s not a mistake.
(Thanks to super-sleuthy reader Brian for the tip)
17 Comments on “Is Carlos Ruiz Switching His Jersey Number to 18?”
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General
May 4th, 2009 at 1:58 am
ok, which one of you fools changed his number to 18 on his Wiki page???
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Ruiz_(baseball)
May 4th, 2009 at 5:20 am
lol
May 4th, 2009 at 8:31 am
I remember hearing somewhere that rookies have to wear high numbers. Maybe it’s a sign of respect or that he’s fully established as a a Phil? If so, good for him.
May 4th, 2009 at 8:57 am
Greg Dobbs is a favorite of mine, but I’d rather keep my locker next to Jamie.
May 4th, 2009 at 9:09 am
Ruiz wore 18 in the minors, so this makes sense. 51 was just handed to him.
May 4th, 2009 at 9:11 am
JMS, there’s no such rule, but in spring training they often get stuck with them as the guys on the regular roster have taken all the good numbers (and then there are the retired ones that are unavailable).
I’m a traditionalist who dislikes seeing high numbers. It’s about time Carlos got a “real” number. Incidentally Geovany Soto in Chicago did the same thing — he was stuck with 58 in his initial September callup, but then switched to 18 when he got the chance in the offseason.
May 4th, 2009 at 9:15 am
I get the part where Carlos wants to change his number, I just thought the timing was weird.
No one on the Phillies has worn number 18 since Wes Helms left in ‘07, what the hell took him so long?
May 4th, 2009 at 9:38 am
Before Ruiz could change to 18 they made him be able to pronounce it and spell it.
May 4th, 2009 at 9:44 am
That actually sounds like a plausible theory, Albert.
“Ehtee”
What?
“Ehtee”
Sorry, Carlos, try again next year.
May 4th, 2009 at 11:36 am
@meech.one, oh god… you mentioned Wes Helms. Ewwwwwww… bad memories of his magnitude of sucktitude.
May 4th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Chooch can wear whatever he likes…
He’s the numBer-on Kay-Sher-in all of PeeYay.
May 4th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
i dont think there is a rule saying you can’t change ur number during the season. back in 2000, mike matheny wore number 22 until the cardinals traded for will clark, who wore 22 with the orioles. matheny then switched to 44. after clark retired, matheny went back to wearing 22.
May 4th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
18, as in the number of double plays I’m going to watch him ground into before the All-Star break.
Hey-yoooo!!!
(I still love ya, Chooch)
May 4th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
Actually Shane Victorino used to be 18 and then gave it up to Wes Helms.
May 4th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
i laughed when i read meech’s description of carlos trying to say eighteen. well done
May 4th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Mark, thanks for clarifying. That makes sense. Maybe Chollie made him learn to hit before he was allowed to change his number.
May 4th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
He’s still wearing 51 tonight.