Kane County Cougar Stewart Ruiz tried his best to get into scoring position late this night in July 1992. Instead, he ran into a sterling defensive play, The South Bend Tribune wrote.
Down 2-1, Ruiz hit one down the line. But, South Bend right fielder Corey Austin fired the ball back in and got him at second, The Tribune wrote.
"The ball got down the line and I was just fortunate to get over there as fast as I could and get the throw off," Austin told The Tribune of the throw that got Ruiz. "It turned out to be a good throw."
Ruiz hit that ball in his third season as a pro. It also proved his last. He topped out at single-A.
Ruiz' career began in 1990, signed by the Orioles as a free agent out of his native Venezuela. Ruiz was also credited by his given name, Estuar Ruiz.
Ruiz started with the Orioles at rookie Bluefield. He got into 22 games and hit .206.
He then returned to Bluefield for 1991. He saw 47 games that year and hit .257. He went 2 for 4 in a game that July. He picked up another two hits in a game that August.
Ruiz moved to single-A Kane County for 1992. He saw 77 games there. He knocked in the extra-inning go-ahead runs in an August win. Overall, he hit .195, with 14 RBI to end his career.
Ruiz continued to play in Venezuela into 1994. He has since gone on to be a scout in Venezuela and coach in Dominican and Venezuelan summer leagues.
Made the Majors:1,423-32.0
Never Made Majors:3,023-68.0%-X
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