Little Confidence That Utley Is Healthy
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Wed, August 20, 2008 12:42 PM | Comments: 27
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In New England, the media is discussing the possibility of pitcher Josh Beckett being injured. He hasn’t been below a 3.65 ERA all season. He had a string of bad outings in May, then another string recently. His last start, which was Sunday, saw him give up eight runs to the Blue Jays in just over two innings.
Here in Philadelphia we have a somewhat similar situation. On May 9 Chase Utley walked into San Francisco with a .345 average. He was indisputably the top offensive player in the National League. When that three-game series closed, he had a .327 average. A week later he had a .306 average. He up-ticked again, but quickly fell back. By June 24 Utley was hitting .289.
Since, Utley has flirted with .295, but is now at a season-low .281 on August 20. Just as Beckett is not a 4.50 ERA pitcher on August 20, Utley is not a .280 hitter on August 20. So as the Boston media questions Beckett’s health, we have to do the same with Utley.
(It is true that Utley hit in the .280s in 2005, and was a .280s hitter at best in 2004, but he’s in the prime of his career this season.)
Pat Gillick said Utley was feeling some pain in his hip back in late July. Utley quickly brushed it off. We’ve seen Utley come up a little slow or lame on a few plays, but nothing harrowing. Really, Utley could be feeling the aches of August, but enough to consistently keep him below the .290 mark?
A few questions are up to play. Is Utley hurt? How much? And would an Utley hitting .280 at 50-60 percent be better in the short-term than an Eric Bruntlett or Brad Harman? If Utley is hurt and denies it, are we risking a long-term problem after 2008?
Really, if he his hurt, it might be better to stick with him until the year is over. Maybe it is just aches and bruises. We can only hope.
Posts: 0 Don M
He’ll start mashing again, especially in Chicago where I will be wearing THIS shirt.
http://thenastyboys.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/cubs.jpg
Posted: 12:46 PM on August 20, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
There go those trainers again. If hes hurt:DL. dont care, should have the DEPTH to absorb it. if they dont, then they deserve to los and shame on them for not being prepared. you FIX the problems when you find them. theyve obviously let him hang out there hurt and you can tell. the hips are KEY in anyones swing. if his hip is injured then his swing is going to be off. fix the problem! otherwise it could get worse and last BEYOND this year. if it does that he can spiral downwards and start sucking and be worthless in a trade.
get it right this time: if hes hurt, put him on the 15-day DL to rest him. he isnt doing much good the way he is now. h
Posted: 12:48 PM on August 20, 2008
Posts: 0 Greg V.
It sucks to say it, especially now in the season, but if he is hurt I believe it is better for him to get it checked out and possibly go on the DL. I think Utley’s work ethic is probably the most admirable thing this team has going for it, but I believe we are best off making sure he is alright. The MVP hype is long over, the chance at the World Series or a deep play off run seems like a crap shoot at best. Fix the man up now. If the team makes their August/September run, then I believe we’ll be alright and if Utley comes back feeling bettter he’ll be a great exclamation mark at the end of the season.
Posted: 01:27 PM on August 20, 2008
Posts: 0 Griffin
he’ll have all offseason to rest that hip, the Phils need him now, he ain’t going on the DL.
Posted: 01:31 PM on August 20, 2008
Posts: 0 R.Mac
that t-shirt is phenomenal
Posted: 02:15 PM on August 20, 2008
Posts: 0 John Cena
You can’t see me my time is now!!!!
Posted: 03:24 PM on August 20, 2008
Posts: 0 John Cena
I might have lost to Batista …. but I am the better man …. he was only 3 seconds better then me that one night
Posted: 03:24 PM on August 20, 2008
Posts: 0 John Cena
five knucke shuffle wowwwwwww
Posted: 03:25 PM on August 20, 2008
Posts: 0 John Cena
Your time is up my time is now you cant see me my time is now its the franchise but im shineing now you cant see me my time is now
Posted: 03:26 PM on August 20, 2008
Posts: 0 John Cena
thunder and lighting
Posted: 03:27 PM on August 20, 2008
Posts: 0 TJ
Don, where did you get that shirt?! I’ll gladly invest in one haha
Posted: 03:48 PM on August 20, 2008
Posts: 0 Fred
From his running and aggressive style of defense it doesn’t appear he has an injured hip. Anyone who has had a hip injury, i.e. hip pointer, understands running and diving for balls is a big no-no. and to do it on a daily basis would aggravate the condition to the point of not being able to play. Perhaps he is receiving cortisone shots but that doesn’t cure the problem only relieves the pain and inflammation.
Maybe he’s just having an off year or maybe the pitchers have caught up to him. Whatever the issue is he needs to get going for the Phils to have a chance.
Posted: 04:06 PM on August 20, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
Im getting it made, one of my buddies works for a graphic design apparel company.. I googled CUBS SUCK.. and that was one of the things that came up
Posted: 04:11 PM on August 20, 2008
Posts: 0 Eb
Second that..Don where did you get thtat shirt
Posted: 04:11 PM on August 20, 2008
Posts: 0 Bruce
The shirt design is clever but there is a strong probability it will be quickly dated within a few months on this 100th anniversary of the Cubs last world series championship.
Posted: 04:43 PM on August 20, 2008
Posts: 0 Eb
Cubs are not going to win it all
Posted: 04:48 PM on August 20, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
There is a 100% chance that they will not win a World Series title by next weekend when I’m out there though.
I didn’t design the shirt.. or the design.. I just found that logo and decided it would make a GREAT t-shirt to wear to Wrigley Field
Posted: 05:09 PM on August 20, 2008
Posts: 0 Matt S
I’ll live in chi and will be at the games looking for you out there with that shirt…it is fantastic
Posted: 05:56 PM on August 20, 2008
Posts: 0 Rob
The best part is the teardrop subtly falling down the cubs face.
Posted: 05:57 PM on August 20, 2008
Posts: 0 ryan
i definitely think utley is hurt. last year he hit .330 and i don’t think that was a so called “career year” for him (like it was for Aaron Rowand). i think utley will prove himself over the years to be a consistent hitter and carry atleast a .320 average in most years. this is an aberration in my view
Posted: 06:02 PM on August 20, 2008
Posts: 0 Rob
Don, get ink jet t shirt transfers. buy a royal blue shirt. Print out the image onto the special paper, cut it out, and iron it on. SO simple. I did so for the phillies game last night with my anti-rollins-comments propaganda. I feel it’s better than booing. Much more creative and a picture is worth a thousand words.
Front:
Posted: 06:28 PM on August 20, 2008
Posts: 0 Rob
Posted: 06:29 PM on August 20, 2008
Posts: 0 Rob
Oh well I tried to post the graphic but it isn’t working
Posted: 06:29 PM on August 20, 2008
Posts: 0 Rob
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/image.php?7bc2506111.gif
Posted: 06:32 PM on August 20, 2008
Posts: 0 Rob
ok above was the front
and now the back:
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/image.php?ac6ddf599e.gif
Posted: 06:33 PM on August 20, 2008
Posts: 0 Sarah Wayne
I don’t think that Chase looks injured as much as he looks as if he is dealing with an extended flu or other kind of illness. I really, really hope that that is not the case, though. But you can see that something’s wrong. His face looks different, his eyes look sunken in, and he looks like he’s lost weight. If this is the case, or if an injury is the case, then I believe that Charlie should give him some time to rest.
Posted: 09:49 PM on August 21, 2008
Posts: 0 Tina
Hello there, i just found a totally free on-line Community where a huge number of people speak about their living with back pain. I just began my cost-free account today and wish to invite you. http://www.tinyurl.com/back-pain-community
Posted: 08:10 PM on June 8, 2010