The Official Site of Chase Utley

Wed, Apr 9th 2008, 14:51

ESPN Fan Chat with Chase Utley

Chase did a live chat with ESPN.com this morning. A transcript of the chat follows.

Chase Utley: Hey everyone, good morning!

Scott, NYC: Chase, lot of respect for you up here in NYC. Why is it that you think your Phils keep finding ways to beat our Mets? Hugging the plate a little too close yesterday don’t ya think?!

Chase Utley: I think as a team, we enjoy coming to Shea Stadium. The fans make it intense, so you’re really into the game. As far as hugging the plate, yes, and that’s not gonna change!

Jim Phila, Pa: How is it playing in the city of Philadelphia? The fans seem to enjoy everythign you do, have you ever been on the wrong side of the Philly fans, or do you just let Pat Burrell tell you what its like?

Chase Utley: The fans in Philly have treated me great so far. They want to win as much as I do. They are very passionate and get on us when we’re not playing that well—Pat has told me what that’s like.

Ken (California): Chase, can you tell us about your work with EAS, and how it’s affected your performance?

Chase Utley: I’ve worked with EAS for about five years now. I use it both in-and out-of-season. I use their myoplex shakes in my offseason workout, and during games when I’m feeling sluggish or tired. They’re extremely easy and convenient to carry around with you. They’re pre-made, you just shake them up and drink them. They taste great, and I’m a huge fan.

Mike (DC): Chase, what statistical category (not counting team wins) do you most value in evaluting how well you’re playing the game on a personal level?

Chase Utley: I’d have to say run production. RBIs and runs scored are the most important to me. It’s all about putting runs across the board.

Jack (Chicago): Chase, your my favorite player, but I am wondering who your favorite current player and favorite all-time player?

Chase Utley: In high school, I was a big Jim Thome fan when he was with the Indians. Nowawadys, my favorite player would be Pat Burrell.

Dan (Philadelphia PA): How do you stay focused over the course of a 162 game season, especially when you play every game? Do you have a set routine or do you take a more laid back approach?

Chase Utley: I do have a set routine. I try to keep everything simple. I try to get to the park around the same time, I try to keep everything the same everyday. It’s kind of like groundhog day—you play different teams, but you prepare the same way. It’s important to have a set routine.

Alex (Philadelphia): Chase, loved your 4 seconds of face time in ESPN’s Fantasy Baseball commercials. Any feature films in your future?

Chase Utley: I don’t see acting being in my future whatsoever! But I did have a good time with that. It only took an hour-and-a-half for four seconds.

Donald Phoenixville: What goals have you set for yourself this season? MVP? Silver Slugger? All Star?
Chase Utley: No goals like that for me. My goal every year is to improve in every category, just trying to become an overall better baseball player.

Chris (Reading PA): Chase,what is your most memorable moment playing as a Phillie, and how good was Fredex at baseball back in the day at UCLA

Chase Utley: My most memorable would be that last pitch last year when we made the playoffs. As far as Freddie Mitchell, he chose the right sport in football, that’s for sure. He was a good batting practice hitter—that’s about it. He wasn’t quite the same once the game got going.

Sam (Wilmington, Delaware): Was it great to be immortalized as a Simpsons character during last year’s All-Star game? I imagine that’s a pretty cool thing to see.

Chase Utley: I didn’t see that for about a month afterwards, but it was pretty cool. They’ve been around a long time.

Phil (Philly): To what do you attribute your ability to hit LH pitchers better than most LH hitters? You seem to see the ball very well even against the toughest lefties.

Chase Utley: That’s not the case all the time, but the more you face them, the more comfortable you get. You face a majority of right-handed pitching, but I still feel that I can improve a lot.

Kanten(Sanford, NC): Chase, who whould you say is the toughest pitcher that you have ever faced?

Chase Utley: I had a tough time with Dontrelle Willis the last few years. I’m really sad to see he’s now in the American League.

Chris Phila PA: What do you think this year’s team needs to get back to the postseason and win a round or two?

Chase Utley: I think we need to stay healthy. That’s the most important thing. If we can stay healthy, we have a great chance to be better than last year.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA): If you weren’t playing baseball, what would you want to be doing?

Chase Utley: Tough question. Playing golf, I’d say.

Chris (Fairless Hills, Pa): Chase, what’s your favorite city, besides Philly of course, to play in?

Chase Utley: I enjoy going to Chicago. It’s right on the Lake, and playing in Wrigley Field is exciting. The fans are into you, they’re right on top of you, and it’s an old ballpark with a lot of tradition.

Tom (Philadelphia): Pat’s matched your hot start so far, could be another tight MVP race. What’s your cheesesteak locale, Pat’s? Geno’s? Jim’s?

Chase Utley: Have you ever been to Joe’s on South? It’s pretty good too. As far as Pat’s concerned, he’s starting out hot, which is a great sign. He’s an important part of our lineup.

Kevin (Philadelphia PA): How do you think it will be to face Johan Santana this year?

Chase Utley: He’s tough. He’s been the best pitcher around for the past five or six years now. He won’t be easy, and we’ll have to find a way to beat him. He’s obviously helped their rotation, so we’ll figure something out.

Chase Utley: Thanks everyone, and I’ll talk to you later!