Great News Utley fans

Our boy Chase hopes to be ready by opening day.  Heck yeah!  Earlier reports said he may be out half the season, or a few months.  Now check out the latest.

Utley disappeared from Citizens Bank Park’s media room soon after (The press conference), walking briskly — a rather critical detail, it would seem — and in no apparent pain. He said he is disappointed that he can’t play in the World Baseball Classic in March for a second time, but he hopes to be fit enough to play in more than a few Grapefruit League games.

Can you say, back to back baby!

Chase in action

Let’s take a look at some Chase in action..

Chase in the offseason

Hey Utley fans! Hey Philly fans! The Phillies are the WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS! Wow, can you believe it? How excited was October!? During the offseason, we plan to bring you all the latest updates. What would you the viewers like to see from us here on the website? Anything you want. Let us know by commenting to this post, letting us know what you would like! Go Phillies! Go Chase!

Chase and the F-Word

Remember the stir he caused when he dropped the f-bomb at the All-Star Game in Yankee Stadium? Well, Chase Utley of the Philadelphia Phillies did it again during the celebratory parade in Philadelphia Friday on live television on radio. The All-Star second baseman had news anchor apologizing and the f-bomb police at the FCC scrambling.

After proclaiming “World champions!” at the Phillies’ celebration at Citizens Bank Park, the smiling second baseman leaned into the microphone and inserted a familiar two-syllable profanity between “world” and “champions.”

The crowd loved it, erupting into cheers for several minutes. Local TV and radio stations covering the event live, however, were less amused.

Utley’s utterance was heard on all of them, and the Federal Communications Commission doesn’t take kindly to cursing.

Anchors from NBC10, 6ABC and Fox29 issued on-air apologies almost immediately. CBS3’s came later. Despite having used a tape delay of several seconds, the word made it onto their air.

“The technician hit the button, but missed by a hair,” a station spokeswoman said. “We apologize to our viewers that this aired despite our precautions.” Sister station KYW Newsradio also apologized to its listeners.

New Phillies GM

With the enviable task of repeating as World Series champions ahead of them, the Phillies turned to a former bat boy to take over as their general manager.

Ruben Amaro Jr. signed a three-year contract Monday to become general manager of the Phillies a quarter-century after he was handing lumber to Hall of Famers Mike Schmidt and Steve Carlton as a starry-eyed teenager.

Amaro just completed his 10th season as assistant Phillies GM and replaces the retiring Pat Gillick, who will remain with the team as an adviser. The team announced the move five days after beating the Tampa Bay Rays its second title in franchise history.

“Pat, you’ve made it a little tough for me, a tough act to follow,” Amaro told Gillick at a news conference.

The 43-year-old Amaro, whose father Ruben Amaro Sr. was a Phillies shortstop from 1960-65 and first base coach for the club, recalled being around Schmidt, reliever Tug Mcgraw and shortstop Larry Bowa as a bat boy from 1980-83—in 1980 the Phillies won the only other championship in their 126-year history.

Phillies/Marlins

The Philadelphia Phillies 52-44, find themselves atop the NL East, but barely. With the Mets win Thursday night, the teams are deadlocked, and the Marlins are right behind them waiting for them both to slip.  Florida comes in 50-45, just 1.5 back of both the Mets and Phillies. With the Phillies picking up Joe Blanton, look for the Mets to make a move to pick up a quality bat, or arm.

Tonight, Jamie Moyer will take the mound for the Phillies. Moyer is 8-6, with a 3.85 era on the season. Earlier this season Moyer went 8 strong innings, allowing just 2 hits and no runs in a win over the Fish. Moyer is 5-3 in his last eight decisions, and is 4-3 this season on the road. Moyer is 9-0 lifetime against Florida.

For Florida, Ricky Nolasco will pitch. Nolasco has been a pleasant surprise for the Marlins, starting the year 10-4, with a 3.70 era. The 25 year old righthander beat the Phillies earlier in the year, going 6 innings, allowing 4 hits and 3 runs. He is 3-2 career against Philadelphia, and during the 2008 season is 4-2 at home. In 44 career starts Nolasco is 22-17.

Our boy Chase Utley is 3-11 career against Nolasco, all singles. He has walked twice and struck out twice, driving in just one run.

Let’s hope Chase can garner his first extra base hit, or four tonight, and get the Phillies rolling in the second half!

Phillies get help

The Phillies, right after the All Star Break got some pitching help. The Oakland A’s sent Joe Blanton to Phily, and in return Oakland received - top position player Adrian Cardenas, promising lefthander Josh Outman, and 2007 third-round draft pick Matthew Spencer.

Welcome to Phily Joe!

Chase in action at All Star Game

Chase in action:

Chase 2008 so far..

So, the Phillies lead the NL East by 0.5 game.. It’s been hot and cold for the Phillies. Utley has had another nice season, but look for a huge second half. Here are Chase’s numbers at the break:

Utley out early in HR Derby

Phillies Chase Utley hit five homeruns, the second lowest in the MLB Homerun Derby. Justin Morneau of Minnesota was the winner over Josh Hamilton of Texas.  The last Phillie to win the HR Derby was Bobby Abreu in 2005, after that Abreu only hit 6 homeruns the rest of the season.

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