Carlos Ruiz: Chooch and Panamaaaaa

NEW YORK - Given the choice of being interviewed in English or Spanish at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday afternoon, Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz said he would rather do it in German.
He then asked the reporters around him if they spoke French. English is too easy, he said.

Ruiz was joking.

If Ruiz is nervous about Wednesday's matchup against the Yankees in Game 1 of the World Series, he isn't showing it. The Panamanian star is comfortable on the big stage the playoffs provide and has the numbers to prove it.

As it turns out, "Chooch" is also quite the comedian.

"To be here is really something special for me," he said. "This is what you dream about when you are a child and to have the opportunity is a dream come true. But you also have to have fun. This does not happen every year so you have to enjoy the time."

Since 2007, Ruiz has a .296 batting average in 26 postseason games.  This season, he boasts a .346 batting average in nine playoff games. During the regular season this year, Ruiz hit .255. He has a career-batting average of .246.

He hit .375 during the World Series to pace the champs last year.

"I think I just feel more comfortable because of experience," he said. "I am relaxed and I understand what I have to do. I'm not anxious anymore. I am patient at the plate."

The game does not make Ruiz nervous but facing Mariano Rivera does give him butterflies. Like Ruiz, the Yankees closer is from Panama.

"I watched him every time he won the World Series, every out and every game," Ruiz said. "He's represented our country very well and I know Panama will be watching. Maybe half of the country is going for him and half of the country is going for me but that does not bother me. To have two Panamanians here at this level is a great moment and a source of pride for our country."

Ruiz even wished Rivera luck in the series, but not too much luck.

"Once we get on the field we have to do my job and he has to do his job," Ruiz said. "If I get  a chance to win the game with him on the mound, I'm going to do it but at the same time, I know this is a special time for our country right now."