Ad Disclosure
Friday Morning Roundup, and Darin Ruf Breaks Ryan Howard’s Home Run Record in the Minors
By Ryan Gillon
Published:
(Courtesy: Reading Eagle)
And he did it with a monster August.
Coming into the month, Reading Phillies slugger Darin Ruf had 18 homers spanning April to July.
Last night, he hit his 20th home run in the month of August alone, which was what he needed to surpass Ryan Howard's record in a Reading uniform. With 38 homers in total, Ruf is Reading's new home run king.
Even before he broke the record, he caught the eye of Phillies manager Charlie Manuel.
Via Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly:
“Ruf’s had a big year,” said Manuel, who has always had a thing for hitters. “He’s had an extraordinary year. Ruf is something that pops out at you. He’s trying to hit his way to the big leagues. That’s the way it used to be. You had to do something to get to the big leagues. Evidentally, Ruf is an old throwback.”
“I want to see him whether it’s at the end of the year or spring training. I’m looking forward to seeing him. I saw him on TV and it looked like he’s got a good swing. He’s strong.
He may just get a chance to get to the big leagues in September with this news from yesterday.
INF Hector Luna was outrighted off the Phillies 40-man roster and elected free agency. The Phillies are now at 39 players on the 40-man.
— Kevin Cooney (@KevinCooney) August 30, 2012
Ruf has already been named the MVP of the Eastern League and their rookie of the year. As Corey Seidman of CSN Philly mentions, it's worth noting that Ruf is also fighting for the Triple Crown with 38 homers, 102 RBI, and .321 batting average. The Reading Phillies have four games left in the regular season.
A Thursday recap and a Friday preview:
Jeffrey Lurie said that Andy Reid's job is on the line this year. I think he's full of shit.
Jimmy Rollins was benched yesterday for not hustling. No one anywhere blinked.
The NHL dickishly released their National TV schedule for the… upcoming… season.
The Eagles will cut 22 players from their roster by 9:00 pm tonight.
My Temple Owls will play Kyle's Villanova Wildcats in the Mayor's Cup tonight at Lincoln Financial Field tonight. Spoiler Alert: Temple wins.
Drinker's West is having an NHL '12 tournament on Tuesday, September 11th at 8:00 pm. And to answer some questions, you do have to be 21 and you're playing solo.
Happy Friday, folks! More to come.