Comments on: The Chase-inator and his Double-edged Sword

By: Damion Cocopoti

Damion Cocopoti — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 06:12:40 +0000

Thanks for your blog. I know a little bit about the subject but am always happy to find out additional information.

By: John Cappello

John Cappello — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 14:44:38 +0000

Remember when Utley was hit in the hand by Lannan, put him out for a few weeks? Was that a Chase lean-in (and subsequent backfire), or just a pitch that got away?

Pete Reiser was probably one of the greatest of the group of players who couldn’t stay healthy because of hustle. Doug, this probably would be a great article theme just on these type of players who never became what they could have become. But then there are gray areas, like those who were just plain injury-prone (Eric Davis?), or maybe too fragile with a low pain threshold (J.D. Drew?).

By: Doug Stefano

Doug Stefano — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 12:44:30 +0000

Remember how we loved Rolen and the way he played the game? The sprinting down the line on every ball hit the diving at anything in range and look at the injury history. This is my fear with Utley. Can you name any star player who plays that way day in and day out that hasn’t had an injury riddled career? Griffey check, Rolen check, Rowand (not a star) but check, Van Slyke check, Dykstra (steroids didn’t help either) check? I can’t count the Brett’s and Rose’s because they were using greenies to get up for games and whatever else to mask injuries. Let’s not forget how many times he is hit by pitches! Other than Biggio and Don Baylor I can’t remember anyone who takes more HBP than Utley with little or no effort to move and he is our 3 hitter. If you recognize that your best player plays this way and you are Charlie shouldn’t you find a way to get him some rest? I thought we were going to do that this year? If you are Ruben shouldn’t you have a viable utility INF that can spell him? I love the way Utley plays and that is why he always gets a pass from the city when he isn’t performing. I guess we have to hope his body holds up and that his play rubs off on Dominic Brown when he gets here like it has on Victorino and Werth.

By: John Cappello

John Cappello — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 18:59:08 +0000

Rich, sure sounds like a Yank referring to Utley. Good deduction. Wouldn’t surprise me in that Chase reminds me of Bobby Clarke in his competitive approach. Look at those HBPs. The guy’s a nut. Everything is formulated to win. But I was calling him the dirtiest strictly because of his uniform stains. If he’s playing another kind of dirty, I haven’t noticed.

I agree, you’d think he’d be better than .300. Could be CBP. These Phils are in love with the long ball because they have a park that will reward them. Chase used to be known as a spray hitter. That’s not how they play him anymore, is it? Maybe it’s either 20HR/.330 or 35/.290 for him? Look at Shane. I’d fine him every time he hits one 390+ feet. Maybe that’ll get him up to .290/.380.

By: John Cappello

John Cappello — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 18:40:19 +0000

Dar, Hawk had the most intimidating stance ever. Used it for Wiffle ball a few times. Made me feel more empowered. Loved when he went off on Hanley. For every Hanley moment (or B.Phillips moment, or B.J.Upton moment), there should always be a veteran/old-timer to put them back in their place.

By: Richcap

Richcap — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 18:22:51 +0000

I was wondering if you read the ESPN the Mag article this past issue? ESPN enlists a real MLB star to write in anomalously on the real life and views from an active baseball star. In the final paragraphs of this article MLB Player X states how the he shows his hatred of certain players by not talking to him. He says, “There is this one All-Star player second basemen he can’t stand.” He goes to to explain how he plays dirty with an example of how he blocks second base with his knee. Do you think he referring to Utley? I know as soon as I read this I thought of Utley and maybe a Yankee writing the article, esp. by his reference to showing him up by popping champagne. And are there any thought is if Utley is dirty and not by the way you refer to him in the article? Utley IS The Man, but he is referred to many times as a .300 hitter, but he has only done it twice and it this mystifies me.

By: Darren Stefano

Darren Stefano — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 17:54:44 +0000

John, I saw an interview with my idol Andre Dawson after he had confronted Hanley Ramirez two days after his embarrassing play. The Hawk said that Hanley didn’t take his firm talk very well and that he personally didn’t give a bleep how Hanley felt. Hanley probably took a look at the 26″ waist, huge shoulders and massive forearms of the Hawk and thought better about challenging him. Kudos’ to the Hawk for speaking up!