The nuanced thrill filters
through the wave of excitement
radiating from the
Citizen’s Bank Park faithful.
Chase Utley swings completely
through the red stitches
of the white baseball, sending
it deep into right center
field.
The All-Star second basemen’s
first long-ball all year
at “The Banks” hallowed
halls.
And the fun has just begun.
Had it not been for a broken
wrist Utley suffered at the
hands of Washington
Nationals left-hander John
Lannan on July 27 of last
year, there may have been a
Civil War between 2007
National League MVP Jimmy
Rollins and Utley over the
prestigious award.
Utley, prior to his injury,
was either the leader or near
the top in most offensive categories.
He was batting .336 with 17
homers and 82 RBI’s, on
course to have the best overall
offensive numbers in the
National league.
Rollins, in comparison,
ended the season batting .296
with 30 homers, 94 RBIs and
41 steals from the leadoff
spot.
“There’s just something
about all the energy this guy
emits, the tone he sets, the
relentless pace he plays at,”
said ESPN Analyst Jayson
Stark. “He’s one of those rare
players everybody in the
sport admires — guys on his
team, guys on the other team,
the GMs who wish they’d
drafted him and the stat guys
who love crunching his numbers.”
Utley was the clear MVP
favorite when he broke his
hand.”
Utley has begun the 2008
season with a content hand
and fierce motivation.
Utley is leading the majors
with 11 home runs, ranks 2nd
in RBI’s with 23, and his .357
batting average is also second
best in all of baseball.
Utley also leads the league
in slugging percentage and
total bases, is tied for the
most runs, and has the 2nd
most hits in MLB.
If Utley can keep his composure,
and stay away from
inside fastballs, he may very
well accomplish a feet
matched only by the New
York Yankees with three
straight MVPs.
If the Phillies are lucky,
they may see back-to-back
NL Division Titles for the first
time since the 76 and 77 seasons;
maybe even win their
first playoff game since 1993.
The Phillies have already
had their first winning record
(15-13) in April since 2003.