Sportswriter for Montgomery Media
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Has Chase Utley taken one for the team one too many times?
While Bobby Abreu was booed out of Philadelphia for his blatant refusal to give his body up, the former Phillie played in 13 consecutive seasons with 150 games or more. That streak came to an end in 2011 at the age of 37. He played in 142 games for the Angels.
Meanwhile Utley is loved for his fearless defense, his three-straight years of leading the league in hit by pitches. That effort has made him a fan favorite who cannot stay on the field. Multiple DL stints have seen him play 115 games or less in the last two years.
As proud as we are when our favorite team’s players go nose first into the outfield wall like Aaron Rowand did, is it the best for a lengthy career? Rowand’s career has been a steady decline since leaving Philadelphia in 2007 and at only 33-years old he could find himself in the minor leagues to start 2012.
Utley, a five time all-star who was on track for a hall fame career in 2009 all the sudden may be sadly jeered out of town if he cannot produce like the Phillies need him to do, hitting in the meat of a Ryan Howard-less order to start the 2012 season.
The injuries started in 2007 when John Lannan broke Utley’s hand as he leaned in to one of his 139 career beaned balls. Sure, getting hit three times in one game twice in one season brought the blue collar fans to their feat in appreciation for Utley’s attitude, but would you want to see number 26 shake off a fastball as his limp to first base anymore?
Chase Utley’s seven year, 85 million dollar deal demands him to not only stay on the field, but produce at an all-star caliber. Utley’s batting average has gone down in five straight seasons from .332 in ’07 to .259 in ’11. Utley hit more homers (31) in 2009 than he has in the last two seasons (27).
So what if Abreu would rather watch the ball glance off the outfield wall if it meant he was a mainstay in the middle of the order. Since Abreu was shipped to the New York Yankees in 2006 for a bag of balls, the stat rat beats Utley in hits (789-to-734), RBIs (442-409) and stolen bases (119-73).
I’m not saying a diving grab and aggressive base stealing should not be applauded, but if we as baseball fans can take anything from the rapid decline of thee 33-year old Utley it is to not be so harsh on the player thinking long term.
Who knows what Ken Griffey Jr. could have done if he did not throw his body around in centerfield. He could have been better than Barry Bonds, who realized very quickly that running into walls and getting hit by fastball was not good for his longevity.
Most recently Chase Utley has missed time to general soreness and knees issues and will be eased into spring training this March. Chase Utley you are still the man, but for bringing a title to Philadelphia in 2008, not so much for what you have done since.
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