Servais: 'Chooch' the 'consummate veteran'

NEW YORK -- After playing 12 years in the Majors, catching four no-hitters and performing in two World Series, Carlos Ruiz could just be going through the motions these days as he nears the end of his career in a backup role for the Mariners.
Instead, the man called "Chooch" -- not just on Players Weekend, but every day by everyone who knows him -- continues working hard to stay prepared for his limited opportunities, and he took advantage on Saturday with a 2-for-4 day that included his second home run of the season in the Mariners' 6-3 loss to the Yankees.
"He's the consummate veteran," manager Scott Servais said of the 38-year-old from Panama. "He knows how to prepare. We give him a heads-up a couple days ahead of time that he is going to play and who he's catching. He's ready to go. He gives us a great effort every time he's out there."
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But even for a catcher who has hit well throughout his career, limited playing time creates a challenge to stay sharp at the plate. With Mike Zunino performing well, Saturday was just the fifth time Ruiz has started in August, and he'd gone 0-for-13 with six strikeouts in six games this month.

So it felt good to connect on a 2-0 fastball from Sonny Gray and lift it into the left-field seats at Yankee Stadium for his second home run of the year and 70th of his career.
"I knew I hit it good, I was just hoping it didn't go foul," Ruiz said.
Ruiz's two-hit day was his fifth multi-hit performance of the season, as he lifted his average to .213, though well below his career mark of .264.
"It's definitely hard [playing a limited role], but we have figured out the way to stay ready when I get the opportunity," Ruiz said. "I've come the last two years in a new role. I work in the cage and try to keep my swing so I feel OK in games. I just have to continue to work and do my best with it, so when I have the opportunity to play, I can help the team."
And when he's not playing, Ruiz continues serving as an excellent mentor to Zunino, who is having his best season.
"He's doing a very good job behind the plate and hitting," Ruiz said. "He's worked very hard to produce for the team. He's learning, and it's fun to watch."