Carlos Joaqu�n Ruiz is a Panamanian professional baseball catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball. His nicknames include Chooch and Se�or Octubre. He grew up in David, Panama, and resolved to play Major League Baseball after his father and grandmother both died within two weeks of each other when he was seven years old. He made his way through the Phillies' farm system from 1998 until 2006, playing at each level of Minor League Baseball, until finally making his debut with the Phillies in 2006, fulfilling his childhood dream. He battled adversity in his progression through the system, including feeling homesick, a position change and the language barrier. He spent his first full season in the major leagues in 2007 and has remained there since. In 2008, for his strong postseason performance, including a walk-off hit, during the Phillies playoff run that concluded with victory in the 2008 World Series, he earned the nickname "Se�or Octubre". Despite being one of the quietest players on the team, he was subsequently called the "heart and soul" of the Phillies; he serves as a constant source of encouragement and rebuke alike to his teammates. 

January 22nd, 1979 in David, Chiriquí (Age 45)