Utley: I’m A Hugger And Proud Of It
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Wed, April 09, 2008 02:29 PM | Comments: 2
Posts
Chase Utley made some media rounds today, hitting ESPN Radio’s “Mike & Mike in the Morning,” an ESPN Chat and WFAN.
A ESPN.com user asked if he was hugging the plate too much. (Hat tip to MetsBlog) Utley:
“As far as hugging the plate, yes, and that’s not gonna change!â€
He said on “Mike & Mike ” that he could’ve gotten out of the way (of one of the pitches). On replays, you can clearly see Utley even stepped slightly into the third pitch.
It ain’t a crime if you don’t get caught. Utley did anything he could to help the team in that situation. Now, one thing I’m just a little irked at is why Utley didn’t try to step out from the pitch that drilled him in the seventh, thinking — oh, I don’t know — about hitting the ball. He is the team’s best hitter, bar none. And remember, if Delgado and Reyes make that turn, the Phils never get even tie the game.
Still, Utley could’ve ducked out, but didn’t, electing to get the pass and prolong the inning, give the Phils a better opportunity and get the crowd heated. You can go either way. And either way, he’s a very, very smart player.
Posts: 0 John
The biggest reason that Delgado and Reyes did not make that turn had nothing to do with either one of them and everything to do with Chase Utley. One of the things that is kind of overlooked with him because of his great hitting and glove (drastically improved since breaking the lineup) is his baserunning. He is very much aware of the positioning of all players on the field, knowing exactly what he should do and when.
Yesterday, he ran so far right in the basepath that he gave Delgado no lane to throw the ball to second base. Reyes did not help the situation by setting up for the throw directly over the bag; had he come out more to RF, Delgado might have been able to get the ball to him.
As they say, “it’s the little things that seperate winners from losers”… Chase Utley does all of the little things.
Posted: 03:02 PM on April 9, 2008
Posts: 1650 Tim Malcolm
John, you’re absolutely right, Utley’s path to the bag was calculated, and it was legal. He just knows the game. Of course, you make the point I make with Reyes, that he needs to extend himself and give Delgado a lane.
Posted: 03:07 PM on April 9, 2008