Chico Ruiz, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

Chico Ruiz

Cuban baseball player

Date of Birth: 05-Dec-1938

Place of Birth: Santo Domingo, Villa Clara Province, Cuba

Date of Death: 09-Feb-1972

Profession: baseball player

Nationality: Cuba

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Giraldo "Chico" Ruiz Sablón (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 play he made his rookie season.
His steal of home on September 21, 1964 has entered baseball folklore.
Viewed by most over the years as "mad" or "zany," the play received a revisionist defense that put it in perspective as a daring and worthwhile gamble.
Ruiz is most well known for his steal home against the Philadelphia Phillies, often viewed as the turning point of the Phillies late season standings collapse in 1964.