On June 26th, 2007, Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz, who would only rack up 24 steals in 1,069 games with the Phillies, stole home as part of a double steal vs. Cincinnati Reds in an 11-5 win.
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Daily Archives: June 26, 2019
#55 Sixers Dikembe Mutombo
Dikembe Mutombo – Sixers/C (2001-02) Dikembe Mutombo played little more than a season in Philadelphia, but he was extremely popular with the Philly Faithful, and the Sixers do not go to the 2001 NBA Finals without him on the team. Mutombo was a defensive powerhouse and prolific shot blocker. Mutombo’s humanitarian work, like his shot blocking, is also prolific. Dikembe entered the Sixers Hall of Fame and the NBA Hall of Fame in 2015.
#51 Phillies Carlos Ruiz
Carlos Ruiz – Phillies/C (2006-16) Carlos Ruiz was a mainstay behind the plate for the Phillies for a decade. Chooch had a penchant for delivering clutch hits in bigtime post-season spots earning him the nickname Senor Octubre. Ruiz was named to the TOPPS All Rookie Team for 2007. In game 3 of the 2008 World Series, Chooch had a World Series game-winning walk-off infield single, the first ever in World Series history. Ruiz caught the final out of the Phillies, World Series clinching game over the Tampa Bay Rays. Chooch seemed to get better as he got older. He was a 2012 NL All Star, and garnered MVP votes three consecutive seasons (2010-2012). Ruiz caught an NL record-breaking four no-hitters as a Phillie. He caught Roy Halladay’s perfect game and his no-hitter in 2010. It was the first time in 38 years that a catcher caught two no-hitters in the same season. He then caught the Phillies combined no-hitter in 2014 (Hamels, Diekman, Giles, Papelbon) and Cole Hamels no-hitter in his final game as a Phillie in 2015. Ruiz won the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association Heart and Hustle Award for 2012.
#15 Sixers Hal Greer
Hal Greer – Sixers/Nationals/G (1958-73) Hal Greer was a mainstay on the Sixers backcourt for 15 seasons (five w/ Syracuse Nationals). Greer is the franchise’s all-time leader in games played (1,122), Minutes played (39,788), FG’s (8,504), and points (21,586). The Ten-time NBA All Star was the All Star MVP in 1968. Greer won an NBA Championship as a member of the Sixers in 1967. He was selected as part of the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team. Greer is in the Sixers Hall of Fame and had his #15 retired. He was inducted into the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame in 1982.
