River Rat Player Profiles
9 Paul Ruppert
| Full Name: | Paul J. Ruppert | Bats: | Right |
| Date of Birth: | 3/8/75 | Throws: | Right |
| Birthplace: | Madison, Wisconsin | College: | University of Minnesota |
| Nickname: | Ruppie or Pimp Daddy | Favorite Position: | Center Field (or Camel Clutch) |
Biography & Career Highlights
An original River Rat from 2000, Paul began his career as a standout three sport athlete (football, wrestling, and baseball) at Hudson H.S., graduating in 1993. From there, Paul started his men's amateur baseball career with the Hudson Rebels, languishing with the Rebels for five up and down seasons, before joining the Spring Valley Hawks in 1999. Paul's no-nonsense attitude, solid power, and sheer athleticism earned him the right to play center field for the Rats on a permanent basis in 2002, which was the River Rats' first state championship (coincidence?) Paul is the career River Rat leader in home runs, at bats, and games played, and is enjoying his best Rat season ever in 2005, currently .400 (as of July 14th). Paul and his wife Megan live in North Hudson, and are working around Paul's "gangsta" spending habits and affinity for toys and new cars. His most memorable play as a River Rat arguably was his gun down of New Richmond Miller runner Ryan Stephens in the bottom of the ninth inning during the "Bataan Death March" game of July 7th, 2002, preserving the tie and sending the game into extra innings, whereupon the River Rats went on to victory. Ruppy is also known for the special ointment he uses for his "pimp hand" before games, prepping it in case he has to use it on opposing pitchers and/or baserunners.