Instagram story viewer> @jruff96> Posts

Joe Ruffalo

@jruff96

7.2K

followers

2085

following

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Download All

“The Sho Continues”

Shohei Ohtani hits his 25th home run of the 2024 season in his first at-bat of the ballgame in Chicago. As a result of the homer, Ohtani passed Roy Campanella, setting a new Dodgers franchise record by recording an RBI in his tenth consecutive game.

📸: June 26th, 2024 taken in Guaranteed Rate Field by @jruff96

3

3

2 years ago

On this day in 2023, Chicago White Sox pitcher Liam Hendriks stepped back on the mound just five months after beginning treatment for Stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Out of all the big moments I’ve been able to shoot over the years, this one still remains at the top. I’ll never forget how the place erupted when Liam came into the ballgame...emotional, heavy, and electric all at once.

I remember getting chills as I watched this through my lens. I still get them to this day every time I revisit these. Some moments are just bigger than the game, and this was easily one of them.

📸: May 29, 2023 taken in Guaranteed Rate Field by @jruff96

2k

24

a year ago

The greatest pitcher of our generation officially retires a world champion.

It’s been a privilege to watch Clayton Kershaw pitch for the Dodgers for these past 18 years. There was always a different vibe whenever Clayton took the hill. Hearing Vin Scully call his games on those warm summer nights as a kid. All of it special. The end of an incredible era.

Here’s a few shots that I took documenting Kershaw‘s final start in Milwaukee a few months back.

📸: July 8th, 2025 taken in American Family Field by @jruff96

9k

38

a year ago

Congrats to former Chicago White Sox closer and 2x AL Reliever of the Year Liam Hendriks on a great MLB career.

Very few players in the game outwardly exhibit the level of fire, intensity, and passion that Liam did. He was the true embodiment of what it meant to play baseball on the South Side.

Liam’s courage to tackle his cancer diagnosis head-on and make his way back to the mound was incredibly inspiring, and it was an honor to be at the ballpark to witness it. Above all else, though, just a great human being who did a lot for the community during his time here.

Here’s a photo I took immediately after Liam threw his final pitch in a White Sox uniform.

📸: June 9th, 2023 taken in Guaranteed Rate Field by @jruff96

3

2

a day ago

The End of an Era.

Can’t begin to express how much it meant to be in the stands for the final start of Justin Verlander’s incredible career this past weekend.

It seems like just yesterday I was in fifth grade watching JV pitch game one of the 2006 World Series for the Detroit Tigers...then, there we were 20 years later and it had all come full circle.

I knew this ballgame was about to be something special, but never could have predicted the way it ended, between Justin’s daughter coming out to the mound to take her father out of the game, to the walk off home run just a few innings later.

Seeing Verlander break down into tears the moment his family greeted him on the field was a perfect example of how baseball can be so much more than just a game.

I enjoyed trying to document this day with my iPhone 16 Pro Max. Easily one of the most incredible ballgames I’ve ever had the privilege of attending, and the perfect ending to the 2026 MLB regular season.

#detroittigers #justinverlander #mlb #baseball taken in Comerica Park by @jruff96

317

4

5 days ago

Going Bananas 🍌

Chicago White Sox outfielder Tristan Peters rounds the bases after hitting his fourth home run in four games during last night’s 11-7 victory against the Texas Rangers.

The 2026 AL All-Star and former Savannah Banana fell just a triple shy of his second cycle of the season, going 3-for-3 with a walk and 3 RBIs.

The emergence of Peters, who also hit a walk-off home run against the New York Mets just two days prior, has remained one of the most fascinating and inspiring storylines across all of MLB this season.

📸: August 25th, 2026 taken in Guaranteed Rate Field by @jruff96

3

5

a month ago

Had lots working against me to get my first shots of 2026 in Michigan this morning.

Briefly lost control of my car in icy whiteout conditions on I-94, and had zero footing along the pier as air temps hovered around 5° F. Easily the most dangerous photo sidequest I’ve done, and yet it was all still worth it.

Even as brutal as the conditions were, there’s always something peaceful about being out in the elements. It was great shooting alongside a few other ambitious photographers who braved the cold with me for a few hours today.

This lighthouse is near one of my favorite pizza spots and I’ve wanted to get photos of it in the winter for years. Now there’s an unforgettable story to go with them.

📸: January 29th, 2026 taken in St. Joseph, Michigan by @jruff96

3

39

8 months ago

Was finally able to cross Kauffman Stadium off the list as my 10th MLB ballpark during this past weekend’s trip to Kansas City.

As much as I love photographing big moments, it’s usually the random stuff happening off field that piques my interest the most.

Since his rookie year in ‘22, Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino’s been known as “Pasquatch,” a nickname given to him by teammate Ryan O’Hearn during their time together in the minors. As the nickname caught on, the Royals organization began quietly sending an employee dressed in a Bigfoot costume onto the left field roof to emerge whenever Vinnie reached base.

The bit actually started without Vinnie knowing about it, until he eventually found out after a friend sent him a video of the mysterious Sasquatch appearing during one of his games. Since then, Vinnie, as well as the Royals fanbase, have embraced this completely random idea, and it’s become a tradition at the ballpark and on broadcasts ever since.

For years I thought it’d be fun to get these shots and figured to make it a goal during the ballgame. Vinnie ended up making it happen fairly quickly, belting a three run homer in the first inning, while later drawing a walk en route to the Royals’ 6-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.

📸: September 6th, 2026 taken in Kauffman Stadium by @jruff96

3

0

a month ago

“There we were…now here we are.”

One year ago today, on the anniversary of their turbulent 2009 breakup, the mighty Oasis touched down in Chicago to play their first show on American soil in 17 years.

Of the many unforgettable concerts I’ve attended over the years, nothing has come remotely close to touching the magnitude of being part of that sold out crowd of 52,000 at Soldier Field. It was one of those rare moments in time where, given the context, you knew you were part of something once in a lifetime, but still couldn’t process the reality of what was happening right in front of you.

Prior to their first comeback show in Cardiff on July 4th, seeing Liam and Noel share a stage together again felt unfathomable. It was an idea that for many years existed only through exaggerated rumors and hypotheticals.

Through their own healing and reconciliation, the Gallaghers managed to make each Live ’25 show about something much bigger than music…unity, forgiveness and a new beginning. Those themes resonated throughout every crowd they played for during this reunion tour.

The definition of “oasis” is something that provides refuge, relief, or pleasant contrast. Coincidentally, it’s also exactly what these shows symbolized. You saw strangers turning into friends, even just for a few hours. You saw people of every race, gender, and religion locking arms, singing each song at the top of their lungs, and being one with the moment. It made the whole thing much more poignant than a band merely getting back together for nostalgia.

One of the true defining moments in pop culture and rock & roll history. This was a day I had been holding out hope for since I was 12 years old, and I’m so grateful to have been a small part of it. Also grateful I decided to take a few pics with my phone.

📸: August 28th, 2025 taken in Soldier Field by @jruff96

3

2

a month ago

I held the greatest appreciation whenever I had the chance to see Bob Weir and surviving Grateful Dead members perform in person.

At every show I made sure to take a step back in the moment and think about how great of a privilege it was to be alive at the same time as the people who helped create the greatest music ever written. The music that has long weaved the fabric of our country, our culture, and our lives. On the sad day of Bob’s passing, those thoughts continue to ring true.

Did my best to compile shots that I’ve taken at every Bobby/Dead show I’ve attended over the years, ranging everywhere from Wrigley Field to Alpine Valley between 2016-2022.

Fare Thee Well, Bob Weir. 1947-2026 🌹⚡️💀 taken in The Chicago Theatre by @jruff96

3

2

9 months ago

Happy Earth Day to our incredible planet, which always finds ways to leave us speechless.

There’s no better way to pay tribute than to share one of those moments, this one being from my most recent viewing of the Northern Lights in Indiana.

📸: November 11th, 2025 taken in Beverly Shores, Indiana by @jruff96

3

5

5 months ago

Mune’s first MLB home run. A story in four parts.

📸: @jruff96 taken in American Family Field by @jruff96

1k

6

6 months ago