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Chico Ruiz

Chico Ruiz
Chico Ruiz 1962.png
Ruiz in 1962
Infielder
Born: (1938-12-05)December 5, 1938
Santo Domingo, Cuba
Died: February 9, 1972(1972-02-09) (aged 33)
San Diego, California
Batted: Switch Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 13, 1964, for the Cincinnati Reds
Last MLB appearance
August 3, 1971, for the California Angels
MLB statistics
Batting average .240
Home runs 2
Runs batted in 69
Teams

Hiraldo "Chico" Ruiz Sablon (December 5, 1938 – February 9, 1972) was a Cuban professional baseball player. An infielder, Ruiz played in Major League Baseball for the Cincinnati Reds and California Angels from 1964 through 1971. He was the only Major League player ever to pinch-hit for Johnny Bench. He is, however, best remembered for a zany play he made his rookie season that has entered baseball folklore.

Ruiz was born in Santo Domingo, Cuba, on December 5, 1938. His father owned a cigar factory, while his brother, José, headed the labor force of Cubatabaco. Ruiz's father wanted his son to succeed him in running the cigar factory. However, Chico attended college, where he studied architecture.

Ruiz signed with the Cincinnati Redlegs in 1958 at age 19. He was among the last of the Cuban players to make it out of Cuba before the borders were sealed. He batted .275 with 28 home runs over six seasons in their farm system before making the renamed Cincinnati Reds out of spring training in 1964. Though he was a shortstop by trade, he made all 79 of his appearances on the field at either second or third base.

Ruiz married Isabel Suárez Navarro on October 4, 1961. They later had two daughters, Isis and Bárbara Isa.

On September 21, 1964, facing Art Mahaffey and the Philadelphia Phillies, Ruiz singled with one out in the sixth and the score 0–0. He advanced to third base on a single by Vada Pinson; however, Pinson made the second out of the inning trying to stretch it into a double. With two outs, Frank Robinson stepped to the plate.


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