The Official Site of Chase Utley

Wed, Sep 3rd 2008, 09:05

Rich Hofmann: Utley gives Phillies a crash course in leadership

Philadelphia Daily News
WASHINGTON – Who will lead them? The question has been asked about the Phillies for 5 months now, and remains unanswered as we enter the sixth.
Their record is decent and their position in the pennant race is competitive, but they all think they are better than the standings say they are. They think that pretty much to a man. Still, the reality is black numbers on a white background and there is no sense wasting the energy to argue it or dispute it.

If the Phillies really are as good as they think they are, then somebody must start proving it. Someone must drag them across the finish line – or, short of that, at least clear a path.

Which might have been what Chase Utley started to do when he took off and launched himself at home plate last night in the third inning at Nationals Park.

That he did not get there before being tagged out by Nationals catcher Jesus Flores should be mentioned up front. That Flores left with a sprained left ankle was noteworthy, too (especially in the Flores household). But it almost seemed a footnote after the thousandth replay had been shown on the Washington television broadcast.

What remained was the picture of Utley, going into Flores headfirst, going in like Brian Dawkins, but without the big helmet and the facemask and the rest of the protective paraphernalia.

And you wonder.

Could it be Utley?

Could he be the one?

“That’s the way you play,” Phils manager Charlie Manuel said, after the Phillies’ 4-0 win over the Nationals. “I wish every one of my players played that way. That would be good.”

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