One Man

Apparently, there is an "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" episode coming up later this year where the gang meet Chase Utley and Ryan Howard. The episode continues a running joke on the show that Mac has a biggest man crush on Chase since George Constanza met Dan Corteze.



Except it's not a joke in Philadelphia. People love Chase Utley. He's the guy who runs out all the grounders, who plays hurt and then says nothing in the press, takes guys out legally on double play bases (stop crying David and Carlos), and generally embodies what Philadelphia fans say what they want out of their sports players. When Doc Halladay was traded to the Phils, the analogy was that he was the pitching version of Utley with his preparation and singular focus. He's also been a decently clutch player. While his numbers in the postseason aren't great, he's made some big plays that have been the catalyst to victory.

Game 1 of 2008 NLDS - 2 run, 2 out double to give the Phils a big early lead (after they had gotten blown off the field in 2007 against the Rockies).

Game 1 of the 2008 NLCS - 2 run HR to tie the game 2-2 in the 5th. A huge momentum changer after the Phils had done nothing against Derek Lowe for 4 innings.

Game 1 of the 2008 WS - 2 run HR in the first, giving the Phils a 2-0 lead. A huge hit to give Cole an early lead, eventually leading to them getting a big Game 1 win on the road.

Game 5 of the 2008 WS (part 2) - Throwing out Jason Bartlett at home in the 7th to end the inning and preserve a 4-3 lead. As Smuckers said, that play will never get the credit it deserves, as most people would have never instinctively thrown home on an infield single. If Bartlett scores and the Phils lose that game, who knows what happens with Hamels done and the series going back to Tampa.

2009 World Series - 5 HRs in 6 games. Yes, the team lost but Utley can't be faulted for hitting big HRs in Games 1 and 5 to keep take a early lead and then to keep the series alive.

I list this all now, because that Chase seems to be gone. This year, he has looked terrible in the field (2 errors which should be 3) and impotent at the plate. While Phillies fans are used to conceding the out when a LH reliever come in for Howard, Utley has now joined the ranks. Even on a RH pitcher he was 7 for 15 off of last year yesterday, he looked like Tomas Perez. As he moves further and further away from 30, it's hard not to notice that his average and OPS have slipped noticeably every year since 2007.

While the Phils have often had trouble getting the big hit (remember how they didn't have hit with RISP until Game 4 of the 2008 World Series), they've gotten enough big hits to get by. The sources are varied between series and years,(Vicorino, Stairs, Ruiz in 2008, Howard in 2009), but Utley has been the constant. So while the story of tonight may become the decision to pitch Joltin' Joe, the story of this series ultimately will be the Phils' offense (or lackthereof). And while people will complain about Howard and Rollins being too impressed with themselves, with the signings of Polanco and Ibanez, and assume that Werth checked out mentally with free agency looming, the excuses fans use to afford Utley will be gone.

It's only 2-1 right now, and a win tonight flips the momentum back in the Phillies favor. But if not, start clearing those tee times down in Florida and California. Let's see what he's got.