Philadelphia Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz has been traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the team announced Thursday afternoon.
In return, the Phillies have acquired catcher A.J. Ellis, right-hander Tommy Bergjans and another pick. They also paid the Dodgers an undisclosed amount of cash.
Ruiz, who is better known by fans as Chooch, has been with the Phillies for 17 years. The 37-year-old Panama-native signed with the team in 1998.
He spent 11 years in the major leagues and was the backstop of the 2008 World Series Championship team. In Game 3 of the series, Ruiz hit a walk-off RBI single at the bottom of the 9th inning.
Ruiz caught four no-hitters, was voted a 2012 MLB All-Star, part of five National League East division championships and two National League pennants.
In a statement Thursday, the Phillies called him "one of the greatest catchers in the 134-year history of the team."
Ruiz and first-baseman Ryan Howard were the last two remaining members of the World Championship team.
News of Chooch's departure surely has faithful fans clutching thier Chooch pillows a little harder Thursday night. #ThanksChooch
