LEGENDARY TALESThere were other young Ruiz tales that got people talking — like when he was 11 and was trying to break the competitive West Covina American Major record of six home runs.
"He hit 14 during league play and 11 more during All-Stars," Rudy said.
Rio Ruiz, who has been clocked in
the low 90s as a pitcher, shows
off his arm from third base.
File photo by Ted Aguirre
Or when he was 13 and wanted to see if he could throw as hard as dad could during his hey day. Rudy was a quarterback and baseball standout at Rosemead High School who later threw relief at Harbor and De Anza junior colleges.
"I threw 81 in the day," Rudy said. "When he was 13 he was clocked at 88."
The same year, Ruiz made the USA 14-under team that won the gold medal in Puerto Rico.
"He hit a 385-foot bomb to left-center field to clinch the semifinal win," Rudy said. "He was the youngest kid on the team."
Despite all his successes, coaches and teammates say Ruiz is the same kid he's always been: humble, good-hearted and a good teammate.
"A great teammate," said Amat senior
Wallace Gonzalez, a 6-foot-3, 235-pound senior who is already as physically imposing as Juan Gonzalez. On Tuesday, Wallace, not Ruiz, was the hitting star with four hits, a homer and six RBIs. Amat plays
El Capitan (Lakeside, Calif.) in today's 4:30 p.m. semifinals at Cal State Fullerton.
"I grew up two blocks from Rio and we have talked since we were kids about what we want to do with our lives. Which (Major League) teams we want to play for. Rio has always been very humble and level-headed."
He was humbled somewhat – at the plate anyway – by St. Francis on Tuesday. He went 0-for-3, was hit by a pitch and thrown out trying to steal.
But he also made two tremendous diving plays at the third base bag, throwing out runners handily at first base. The second one was deemed a foul ball, but it didn't matter.
The large contingent of fans hooted and hollered.
Though held hitless for only the third time this season, Ruiz was focused on more important things, specifically his team's 18th straight win and advancement to the semifinals.
"Everyone has off days and today was mine," he said following a death-grip handshake. "When the bat doesn't come to play, the defense has to be there. I made every play today and so did all nine guys.
"This team is scary right now. Everyone was struggling a little bit at the beginning, but we just kept working. That's what it's all about."
Asked what's more satisfying – a defensive gem or home run – and Ruiz chose neither.
"None of it matters unless you get the ‘W,'" Ruiz said. "I could care less about my individual stats. I just hate losing. A win is the greatest feeling ever."
