Former Ole teammate retires from baseball

I played baseball with Charlie for two years at St. Olaf College (he was a sophomore when I graduated) and he was by far the most dominating pitcher in our conference. Congratulations on a great career Charlie. You completed what most every ball player can only dream of doing! - LF

Most Decorated Saints Pitcher, Ruud, Retires

ST. PAUL, MN (July 13, 2009) – Fans root for the underdog and it’s no surprise that 5’10”, 160 lb. St. Paul Saints pitcher Charlie Ruud was a fan favorite during his five-year career. On Monday, the hurler who earned his Masters of Divinity and wants to become a minister, retired from baseball.

The 27-year-old Ruud ends his Saints career as the most decorated pitcher in the team’s illustrious 17-year history. Ruud retires as the all-time leader in wins (36), strikeouts (300), games started (72), innings pitched (458.0) and complete games (9).

Originally from Cannon Falls, MN, Ruud’s storied career began out of nowhere during a tryout camp in 2005. He so impressed manager George Tsamis that the right-hander out of St. Olaf College was called upon late in the season to make an emergency start. He hurled a complete game 7.0 innings in game two of a doubleheader, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits while striking out five to earn his first win as a Saint. The rest of his career would take the same route.

"It was always an honor and thrill to take the field as a professional ballplayer. I'm deeply sad it will end, but I'm greatly thankful to the Saints organization, all the Saints' faithful, and especially George Tsamis and Jason Verdugo for having confidence in me and giving me the chance to do it over the last four years. It's probably the best one-day contract anybody in my circumstances could have hoped for."

In his first full season with the Saints, 2006, Ruud was dominant, tossing at least 5.0 innings in 19 of 20 starts and 7.0 innings in ten of those outings. He finished the season second in the American Association in games started (20), third in complete games (3), and fourth in innings pitched (132.0) and strikeouts (96). He helped pitch the Saints to a North Division Title as he put the Saints up 2-1 winning game three going 7.1 innings pitched allowing just a pair of runs while earning the victory. In the American Association Championship series Ruud won game two going six innings allowing just two runs, allowing the Saints to even the series.

In 2007, Rudd was again an innings-eater for the Saints. He lasted at least 5.0 innings in all 20 starts and 7.0 innings in nine of those 20 starts. From July 15 through August 21 he won six consecutive starts and struck out a career high 11 on August 15 at Sioux City. He finished first in the American Association in innings pitched (138.2), strikeouts (110), second in shutouts (2), wins (11), games started and third in complete games (4).

The 2008 season was highlighted when Ruud set the all-time Saints win mark on June 20 against the Sioux Falls Canaries with win number 27. The man he surpassed, Mike Meyer, was in the opposing dugout as the pitching coach of the Canaries. On July 22, he pitched in front of the home crowd in St. Paul at the All-Star Game and hurled 2.0 perfect innings.

This season, Rudd surpassed the all-time strikeouts mark on June 25 against the Canaries striking out Jared Lemieux in the third inning. The strikeout was number 292 of his career. In 13 games this season (12 starts), Ruud was 4-3 with a 4.72 ERA.

“Charlie Ruud is, and always will be, a true Saint,” said Tsamis. “He is one of the toughest players that has ever put on a uniform for us and has done an excellent job during his career. He is one great kid and it really is a sad day.”

Ruud was a standout with the St. Olaf Oles and a four-time all-MIAC selection. He went 27-10 with a 2.38 ERA in four years. During his sophomore season he was named the league’s Pitcher of the Year.

The Saints offered Ruud a coaching position with the team, which he is mulling over with his family. During the 2008 off-season, Ruud earned his Masters of Divinity allowing him to fulfill his dream of becoming a minister. In March, he and his wife Becky celebrated the birth of their first child, Lucy.