This Date in Phillies History: January 22

Events in Philadelphia baseball for January 22.

January 22, 1901 – Philadelphia Athletics manager and team president Connie Mack signed a 10-year lease on grounds at 29th and Columbia, establishing what would be known as Columbia Park for the Athletics’ home field and setting the stage for the franchise’s presence in North Philadelphia. Read more about Columbia Park in the “other parks” section of our Stadium Week story on the Baker Bowl.
January 22, 1921 – The Philadelphia Phillies traded veteran pitcher Eppa Rixey to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for right-handed pitcher Jimmy Ring. Rixey was a long-time major league workhorse, and Ring would go on to pitch with the from 1921 through 1925 and then return again for the 1928 season.
January 22, 1946 – The Boston Red Sox sell veteran third baseman Jim Tabor to the Phillies. Tabor had spent 1945 in the military and finished his career with two seasons in Philadelphia.
January 22, 1976 – Former Phillies pitcher Robin Roberts is elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers Association of America. Roberts led the NL in starts and innings pitched for five straight seasons and was tops in wins for four consecutive years on his way to 286 career wins.
January 22, 1997 – Don Mattingly, who was recently named the Phillies bench coach, announced his retirement.
January 22, 2013 – The Phillies signed outfielder Delmon Young to a one-year free agent contract, adding a veteran bat to the roster for the upcoming season. Young had already played seven seasons for Tampa Bay, Minnesota, and Detroit. Young played 80 games with the Phillies in 2013 and hit .261/.302/.397/.699 prior to being released and re-signing with Tampa Bay.
January 22, 2019 – Pitcher Roy Halladay, a former Phillie and one of the franchise’s great aces, was posthumously elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, honoring his elite career that included both Toronto and Philadelphia.

Worth noting: Hall of Famer Hank Aaron passed away on January 22, 2021 at the age of 86.

Philadelphia baseball birthdays for January 22

Amos Strunk (born 1889) – A Philly native, Strunk was a center fielder who began his major league career with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1908. He was part of multiple A’s World Series championship teams in the 1910s before later winning a title with the Boston Red Sox. Strunk actually had three stints with the Athletics; 1908-1917, 1919-1920, and 1924. His career began and ended in the City of Brotherly Love.
Bobby Young (born 1925) – A left-hand hitting second baseman, Young played his final MLB season in 1958 as a member of the Phillies. He hit .233/.246/.333/.579 in limited playing time.
Ramon Aviles (born 1952) – Born in Manati, Puerto Rico, Aviles played with the Phillies from 1979-1981. He played in 116 games with a .268/.341/.347/.688 slash line. He was known for being a smooth fielding infielder. Aviles passed away on January 27, 2020.
Carlos Ruiz (born 1979) – Longtime Phillies catcher signed originally as an amateur free agent in 1998 out of Panama, Ruiz became a fan favorite and a key contributor to the Phillies’ 2008 World Series championship. He also made the National League All-Star team in 2012 and won multiple defensive awards during his career. He led Major League Baseball with a phenomenal 41.7-percent caught stealing percentage.

A DEEPER DIVE… Carlos Ruiz

Carlos Ruiz’s baseball story is certainly not one of those instant stardom stories. Signed by the Phillies as an amateur free agent out of Panama in 1998, Ruiz arrived with little fanfare. He was undersized by traditional catcher standards and did not project as a middle-of-the-order bat. What he did have was a strong understanding of the game, a quiet toughness, and a willingness to grind through the minor leagues. Those traits defined his career as he spent six seasons moving slowly through the Phillies’ system, often older than many of his peers, refining his receiving skills and learning how to manage pitching staffs.

Ruiz reached the majors with Philadelphia in 2006, initially serving in a part-time role. His offensive numbers were modest, but the organization valued what he did behind the plate. He framed pitches well before framing became a buzzword, blocked balls with soft hands, and showed an advanced ability to call games. Pitchers trusted him quickly. That trust mattered more than any box score stat, and it earned him increased responsibility as the Phillies transitioned into a contender.

Defensive Reputation and Game Management

Defense was always the backbone of Ruiz’s value. He was not flashy, but he was efficient. Ruiz consistently rated well in controlling the running game, and his footwork and release were compact and repeatable. More importantly, he excelled at handling elite arms. From veterans to young starters still learning the league, Ruiz adapted his approach to each pitcher. He studied tendencies, understood when to challenge hitters, and knew when to slow a game down. His ability to guide pitchers through high-leverage innings became one of the Phillies’ quiet advantages during their peak years.

Ruiz was the primary catcher during one of the greatest stretches in franchise history. He played a central role on the 2008 World Series championship team, catching the final out and cementing his place in Phillies lore. Over the next several seasons, he continued to anchor the defense while also enjoying his best offensive years. In 2012, Ruiz posted a standout season at the plate with career highs in home runs (16), RBI (68), and batting average (.325). He also threw out 34-percent of would-be basestealers. The stats earned Ruiz his All-Star selection and Silver Slugger award. That year showed the full version of Ruiz, a catcher who controlled a game defensively while also contributing meaningful offense.

Relationship With Pitching Greatness

Ruiz’s partnership with Roy Halladay stands as one of the defining catcher-pitcher relationships in Phillies history. Halladay valued preparation and precision, and Ruiz matched that mindset perfectly. Ruiz caught Halladay’s postseason no-hitter in 2010, a historic moment that underscored the catcher’s role as a stabilizing presence in high-pressure situations. Similar trust existed with Cole Hamels and other members of the rotation. Ruiz rarely sought attention, but pitchers consistently credited him for their success.

As Ruiz moved into his mid-30s, the physical demands of catching became more apparent. Injuries and wear slowed him, and his offensive production declined. Still, the Phillies continued to value his leadership during a transitional period for the franchise. Younger pitchers benefited from his experience, and his influence extended beyond games into daily preparation and clubhouse culture.

Career Outside Philadelphia

The Phillies traded Ruiz to the Los Angeles Dodgers in August, 2016 and in November of that year, L.A. dealt him to Seattle where he would finish his career in 2017. At that point, he was no longer a centerpiece but a veteran guide. Teams leaned on him to mentor younger catchers and pitchers, and his reputation as a steady professional followed him. Even in limited playing time, Ruiz maintained the same defensive fundamentals that defined his prime.

Legacy and Lasting Impact

Carlos Ruiz’s career does not fit neatly into highlight reels or traditional star narratives. His value lived in details, in the way pitchers nodded when he put down a sign, and in the calm he brought to chaotic moments. In Philadelphia, he is remembered as a cornerstone of a championship era and as one of the most reliable defensive catchers the franchise has ever had. His journey from overlooked signee to World Series champion reflects the importance of trust, preparation, and durability. Ruiz was never loud or flashy, but his impact on the game, especially behind the plate, was undeniable.

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