If you didn’t know Chase Utley before the start of the 2009 World Series, you know him now. The Philadelphia Phillies second baseman hit two more homers in Game 5 to power the Phillies past the New York Yankees by a final count of 8-6.
After Alex Rodriguez put the Yankees on the board first in the top of the first inning via an RBI double, Utley smashed a three-run blast in the bottom of the first inning. In the seventh inning, Utley hit a solo homer to give the Phillies a 7-2 lead.
Utley now has five homers in the World …read more

The New York Yankees were the favorites heading into Game 1 of the 2009 World Series. However, the Philadelphia Phillies quickly showed that they are definitely for real. Behind Chase Utley’s power and Cliff Lee’s arm, the Phillies were able to win 6-1 and draw first blood in the World Series.
Lee, who the Phillies traded for during the middle of the season and quickly became the squad’s ace, was outstanding. He pitched all nine innings and didn’t give up a run until the ninth inning. When it was all said and done, Lee had given up six hits, no earned …read more

If you watched Chase Utley in the second half of the season, you probably noticed he didn’t look quite right. The Philadelphia Phillies recently admitted that Utley battled a hip injury during the second half of the season.
Utley will undergo hip surgery and he could be out until June. Although that’s considered the pessimistic view of the recovery period, the Phillies will likely make sure their starting second baseman is 100% before they put him back out on the field.
In 2008, Utley overall had a fine season. In 159 games, Utley hit .292 with 33 homers and 104 RBIs. The …read more

Philadelphia Phillies take the lead in the 2008 World Series.
The Philadelphia Phillies beat the Tampa Bay Rays on an infield hit in the bottom on the ninth inning to win Game 3 of the 2008 World Series. With the win, the Phillies lead the Rays two games to one in the best of seven series.
With the bases loaded and no outs in the bottom of the ninth, Carlos Ruiz hit a slow roller to third base and the throw home was not in time. The run made it 5-4 and gave the Phillies the win.
Earlier in the game, Ruiz hit …read more

The Philadelphia Phillies left the Tampa Bay Rays baffled in Game 1.
Although the Tampa Bay Rays were favored to not only win the game but win the series, the Philadelphia Phillies were able to draw first blood in the 2008 World Series. With a 3-2 victory, the Phillies need just three more victories to be crowned the 2008 baseball champions.
The star for the Phillies on Wednesday night was starting pitcher Cole Hamels. In seven very solid innings, Hamels gave up only two earned runs while striking out five Rays. Brad Lidge notched the save to remain perfect in save opportunities …read more

Check out this Chase Utley video. When being introduced for the Home Run Derby, Utley got booed by the Yankee Stadium crowd. Utley’s response to the booing is definitely classic.
Too bad he didn’t shut the Yankee Stadium crowd up with his bat in the Home Run Derby. Instead, Utley was eliminated after the first round.
Here is the Chase Utley video:

1. Chipper Jones, Atlanta Braves
When you are batting north of .400, you are the hottest hitter in baseball. While it’s still early in the season, Chipper is showing signs that he could make the impossible a reality. He’s currently batting .414 with 15 homers and 41 RBIs.

Can Chipper Jones hit .400?
2. Lance Berkman, Houston Astros
Lance Berkman has long had the talent to be one of the best hitters in baseball. This season, he seems to have put it all together. He’s hitting .366 with 19 homers and 57 RBIs for the Astros. If he remains …read more

If you watch Chase Utley of the Philadelphia Phillies hit, you’d think he’s an effortless pure hitter who could hit coming out of the womb. However, if you watch his pregame routine and preparation, you’d begin to understand the hard work Utley has put into becoming one of the best hitters in the game.
The video at the end of this entry is a must watch segment for any true baseball fan. Utley is a student of the game who uses the newest technology to prepare himself as much as possible. In the video, Utley explains how he …read more

Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies
Chase Utley isn’t only the hottest hitting second baseman, he’s the hottest hitting player in the major leagues – period. He’s hitting .357 with 13 homers, 26 RBIs and 28 runs scored. On top of that, he has a .432 on-base percentage. The 29-year-old has arguably been the best player in baseball in 2008.
Ian Kinsler, Texas Rangers
Ian Kinsler has really been hitting the ball well as of late. For the season, he has two homers, 14 RBIs, 21 runs scored and a batting average of .288. The 25-year-old is quickly becoming one …read more

Matt DiFilippo at Seamheads.com re-examines some statements (h/t Baseball Think Factory) made by the writers of Baseball Prospectus over the years that ended up a little wide of the mark. Here are a few of my favorites:
On Hanley Ramirez, before his monster rookie campaign (.292/.353/.480 at age 22) with the Florida Marlins:
There’s no indication that he is ready for the major leagues, but the Marlins are apparently going to let him try.
On Jimmy Rollins, in 2004 (three years before he won the NL MVP):
In any event, his power and speed both appear to be dissipating, and without those he won’t …read more