The Official Site of Chase Utley

Thu, Feb 19th 2009, 16:35

Utley's recovery is far ahead of schedule

Chase Utley rattled off a list of postseason memories without mentioning his defensive gem in the World Series clincher.

No surprise there. The three-time All-Star second baseman is one of the most unassuming star athletes in any sport.

Utley played a major role in helping the Philadelphia Phillies capture their first World Series title since 1980 and only the second in franchise history. He’d rather talk about his teammates than any of his accomplishments.

Favorite moment?

“It’s a blur,” Utley said Thursday. “I’d have to say the last pitch.”

Brad Lidge threw a nasty slider past Tampa Bay’s Eric Hinske, setting off a wild celebration in a city that hadn’t celebrated a major sports championship in 25 years.

Anything else stand out?

Utley fondly recalled Shane Victorino’s grand slam off CC Sabathia in the division series against Milwaukee, Pat Burrell’s two home runs in the clincher against the Brewers and Cole Hamels’ superb pitching performances throughout October.

“There’s so many,” he said, knowing reporters wanted him to discuss one specific play.

“Oh, you want me to talk about,” Utley said, stopping short of finishing his thought. “I tend to remember other people’s plays before I remember mine.”

The Rays and Phillies were tied at 3 with two outs in the top of the seventh in that wacky Game 5 that was delayed 46 hours by rain. Jason Bartlett was on second base when Akinori Iwamura hit a chopper up the middle off reliever J.C. Romero.

Utley went far to his right to field the ball, but it didn’t appear he had a chance to retire Iwamura. Utley turned to make it seem like he was throwing to first, but faked the toss. Rays third base coach Tom Foley was fooled by Utley’s fake and didn’t stop Bartlett, who kept running home. Utley threw an off-balance, one-hopper to the plate. Catcher Carlos Ruiz reached for the ball and dove back to make a swipe tag to end the inning.

Had Utley not retired Bartlett, the Rays would’ve taken the lead and it may have been a turning point in the Series. Instead, the Phillies scored the go-ahead run in the eighth and finished off the Rays.

“It turned out to be an important play,” Utley said. “It’s something I work on in practice. All infielders are taught to knock the ball down if there’s a guy on second and two outs. You want to knock it down and not let it get to the outfield and allow the runner to score. That was one of those situations where I was lucky enough to glove it, the guy took a big turn and there you go.”

Utley downplays everything he does. He’s an intense, hard-nosed throwback who doesn’t care about self-promotion. During the season, Utley constantly works on improving his game. He spends long hours in the batting cage, watches video and makes sure he’s always prepared. Utley works just as hard in the offseason, which made the last few months very difficult.

Continue reading….