Let’s face it: Phillies second baseman Chase Utley will not open the season at second base for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Manager Charlie Manuel, a master at plugging holes, will find a way to keep winning until the all-star second baseman comes back.
But let’s face it. A bad knee, a sore hip will limit his play. Bone against bone. How can a player, even Utley, a ironman, continue to play?
Question: Who has the most World Series home runs?
One Reggie Jackson and … Chase Utley. Each has five home runs in one World Series.
One a great Hall of Fame player and another, a mere baseball footnote.
People in Philadelphia will never forget Chase Utley.
But where will he stand in the annuals of baseball?
A Hall of Famer? Doubtful. Eight years and .293 average is good, but not Hall of Fame worthy.
Utley played in only 115 games last season.
How many will he play this year?
The rest of his career?
I knew that Utley would not be a 20-year player.
I know that he is not done.
But will he ever repeat the 33 home runs and 104 RBI in 2008 and his 31 home runs and 93 RBI in 2009? His four straight years with more than 100 RBI? His .332 average in 2007?
I think not.
I didn’t think his baseball epitaph would be written so soon.
Maybe not.
But it is coming sooner than later for arguably the best second baseman in baseball today.
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