Chase Utley News: Pro Sports Daily

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November 13

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Phillies second baseman Chase Utley won his fourth straight National Leauge Silver Slugger award yesterday.The award goes to the best offensive player at each position in each league. Managers and coaches vote on the award, but are not allowed to vote for players on their team.Utley hit .282 with 31 homers and 93 RBI while helping the Phillies win their second consecutive NL title.Meanwhile, lefthanded relief pitcher Scott Eyre, 37, declared for free agency. Eyre had elbow surgery Monday. He is considering retiring or returning to the Phillies, if he and the team can strike a deal."

Utley wins fourth straight Silver Slugger award

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November 13

Philadelphia Daily News

"Major League Baseball handed out its Silver Slugger awards yesterday. Surprise - Chase Utley won. The Phillies' second baseman earned his fourth straight Silver Slugger award, becoming the first second baseman since Ryne Sandberg to achieve that feat. Utley led all NL second basemen in runs scored (112), on-base percentage (.397), slugging percentage (.510) and extra-base hits (63) and hit 31 home runs. Utley ranks second in team history in Silver Slugger awards, trailing only Mike Schmidt, who won six. Schmidt also holds the Phillies' record for consecutive awards with five. Over the last five seasons, Utley has established himself as the NL's pre-eminent offensive second baseman, leading ..."

Chase Utley matches Reggie Jackson's mark for most HRs in World Series

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November 3

New York Daily News

"On the second night of November, Chase Utley matched Mr. October. With two more home runs to help keep the Phillies alive Monday night in Game 5, Utley became only the second player in baseball history to club five in one World Series, joining Yankee legend Reggie Jackson. "It had to happen sooner or later," Jackson said outside Joe Girardi's office in the Yanks' clubhouse following the Phillies 8-6 victory. "Good player. I wish we would've won the game, though." Jackson's five-blast World Series for the Yanks in 1977 included three homers off three different Los Angeles pitchers - Burt Hooton, Elias Sosa and Charlie Hough - in the Game 6 clincher."

'Ut'-terly brilliant

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November 3

New York Post

"Move over, Mr. October. The Phillies still face an uphill climb to win the World Series, but Reggie Jackson got some company from Chase Utley in Philadelphia's 8-6 win last night. Utley's two homers gave him five in the Series, passing, among others, Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig and tying Jackson's record-setting effort in the Yankees' six-game World Series win over the Dodgers in 1977. Utley's outing -- a three-run shot in the first off A.J. Burnett and a solo blast off Phil Coke in the seventh -- couldn't have been more clutch, either, with the Phillies facing elimination. Not that Utley felt any pressure. "It was a do-or-die game, but I try to prepare the same way no matter when you're ..."

Chase Utley powers Phillies to Game 5 World Series victory

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November 3

Miami Herald

"The New York Yankees haven't toasted a World Series title since the turn of the century. So what's one more day? Or two? Or even . . . Yankees fans don't even want to think about the worst-case scenario. But now they must consider the possibility after the Bronx Bombers took it on the chin at Citizens Bank Park on Monday, failing to drive the final nail into the Philadelphia Phillies with a 8-6 loss in Game 5. Chase Utley walloped two home runs -- his fourth and fifth -- to equal Reggie Jackson's record for one Series and perhaps earn the title of ``Mr. November'' in the process. If that becomes the case, there can be little argument from the Yankees, who had to put their celebration plans ..."

Still in the chase

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November 3

Boston Globe

"The cloud of smoke lingered over the field even after the ball had settled into the right-field stands, a fog of celebration of the feats of Chase Utley and a fog of consternation hanging over the Yankees. The fireworks had been set off yet again, for a second time in the game, marking the second time in this World Series that Utley had doubled up on home runs. Utley, who had hit a three-run bomb in the first inning, blasted a solo shot in the seventh, which was followed by a third Philly homer and eighth run, this one courtesy of Raul Ibanez. More fireworks, more screaming, more joy in Philadelphia, in what ended up an 8-6 Game 5 victory over the Yankees, cutting New York's Series lead to ..."

Chase Utley keeps the power turned up

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November 3

Boston Herald

columnist Sean McAdam

"They've been playing the World Series for more than a century. No, not this one in particular, it only seems that way with the calendar reading November already. And in all that time, no one has ever hit more home runs in a single Series than Chase Utley. Not Babe Ruth, not Willie Mays, not Hank Aaron. Not even Reggie Jackson, whose previous record of five was tied by the Philadelphia Phillies second baseman last night. "Obviously, it's great company," said Utley, who seemed a bit uncomfortable with the attention after the Phils held off the New York Yankees, 8-6, in Game 5. "At some point, not right now, maybe I'll look back and see what kind of special moment it is. "But right now, our ..."

Utley's two homers saves day, Series

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November 3

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Chase Utley sat at the podium last night before a roomful of reporters who wanted to him to be a smiling hero. Instead, he looked like a kid who'd been sent to the corner.The Phillies second baseman is congenitally uncomfortable in the postgame spotlight. Even his manager is reluctant to praise him to the media because, as he admitted last night, Utley has asked him not to."It's not my favorite part," Utley said of the attention.But during the game, when the spotlight glistens on that shiny red helmet and the goop in his slicked-back hair, he's quite at ease, thank you.The Phillies' No. 3 hitter banged two home runs last night for the second time in five games, and drove in four runs to ..."

The Utley truth: This guy is good

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October 29

New York Post

columnist Mike Vaccaro

"THESE are the small things, the every-day things, that define who the Phillies are, that explain all they do, all they've accomplished. These are the at-bats. This is the mind-set. And this is the player: Chase Cameron Utley, who may have been brought up in Southern California but plays with a stubborn tenacity that is all South Philly. "The best guy I've ever been around to coach," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said last night. "The most prepared guy I've ever known." These are the small moments when you can either seize a baseball game or not, take it for yourself or leave it out there, still available for the other guys. This was the third inning, and CC Sabathia was matching Cliff ..."

Chase Utley strikes for two home runs against Yankees' CC Sabathia in Game 1

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October 29

New York Daily News

"These World Series openers are a blast for Chase Utley. A year after belting a two-run homer in the first inning of Game 1 against Tampa Bay's Scott Kazmir in St. Petersburg, Utley twice homered off another lefthander, CC Sabathia, Wednesday night to account for the opening two runs in Philadelphia's 6-1 win over the Yankees at the Stadium. "That's not your goal," Utley said about taking the team on his shoulders. "Your goal is to try to put good at-bats together and see what happens." Utley previously was 0-for-5 with a walk against Sabathia in his career, including their meeting in last October's Brewers-Phillies NL division series. He had the third multihomer game in Phillies World ..."

Chase Utley powers Philadelphia Phillies to 6-1 win over New York Yankees in World Series opener

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October 29

New York Daily News

"Six months ago, Cliff Lee won the first game at the new Yankee Stadium. Last night, he made more history. Lee dominated the Yankees in Game 1, pitching a complete game in the first World Series game ever played at the new ballpark to lead the Phillies to a 6-1 win in front of 50,207, the largest crowd in the short history of the place. CC Sabathia gave the Yankees a solid effort with seven innings of two-run ball, but he was no match for his former Cleveland teammate, who gave up one unearned run on six hits to stake the Phillies to a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. "The bottom line is that we've got to swing the bats better than we did," said Derek Jeter, who had three of the ..."

Utley sets the tone for the champs

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October 29

Washington Post

"In what should not have been a shock, but may have caught some here as a stunning pre-Halloween trick, the Philadelphia Phillies showed why they are the current world champs with a 6-1 win in Game 1 of the World Series on Wednesday night. As for the New York Yankees, they demonstrated why, in key ways, they are still an inexperienced postseason team, with a young and easily traumatized bullpen, that is still trying to find its confidence on an extremely precarious stage. Now that's scary. The most appropriate of all the ornery Phillies -- Chase Utley -- announced his team to Broadway. The gritty second baseman, probably Philly's best all-around player and surely its toughest customer, ..."

Utley and Ibanez not about to sit

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October 26

Camden Courier-Post

"Nobody knew for sure that Chase Utley had a hip injury last year until the offseason when the Phillies announced that he was undergoing hip surgery and might not be ready for the start of the season. Sure, it was easy to speculate that he was hurt. But Utley would never utter a word about it. He kept playing all the way through the World Series. That brings us to this season. It has been speculated that Utley has an injured foot after fouling a pitch off it against Houston on Sept. 4. It has also been speculated that his hip might be bothering him, too. Raul Ibanez, meanwhile, went on the disabled list in June with a groin injury. He clearly hasn't been the same hitter upon returning on ..."

Utley not injured

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October 22

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Phillies infield coach Sam Perlozzo does not believe that Chase Utley is injured, and worked with the second baseman on throwing mechanics during Tuesday's optional workout.Utley famously tossed two balls into the dugout in the first two games of the National League Championship Series. The second error was a pivotal moment in the Phils' Game 2 loss.Rumors and speculation swirled in subsequent days that Utley might be injured, but Perlozzo did not believe so. "Do I think he's hurt? No," Perlozzo said yesterday.The coach noticed Tuesday that Utley was practicing his throws, so he approached him and ran through the various checkpoints to identify possible flaws."

Utley has quiet night in field

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October 19

Camden Courier-Post

"In 1983, former National League Rookie of the Year second baseman Steve Sax became so erratic with his throws to first base that fans behind the Dodgers dugout began wearing batting helmets. In 1990, Mets catcher Mackey Sasser had so much trouble throwing balls back to his pitchers that Brett Butler once stole a base on him on one of his lobs back to the mound. And in 1999, Yankees second baseman Chuck Knoblach, a Gold Glove recipient two years earlier, once had so much trouble throwing to first he air-mailed a toss into the stands and hit sportscaster Keith Olberman's mother in the face. Of the three, only Sax was able to restore enough confidence to remain an everyday player. Which ..."

Phillies not ready to throw Chase Utley to the dogs

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October 18

Toronto Star

"Chase Utley makes two costly throwing errors, and suddenly he's being mentioned with Steve Sax and Chuck Knoblauch. Utley's fielding gaffes were the talk of the town when the Philadelphia Phillies returned home Saturday after splitting the first two games of the NL championship series at Los Angeles. Game 3 is Sunday night in soggy Philadelphia, weather permitting. The forecast calls for showers all day and it's expected to be about 5 C at game time. Cliff Lee starts for the Phillies against Hiroki Kuroda."

Umps admit missed call on Utley hit

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October 12

MLB.com

"Whether it was umpires being in the wrong place or some gamesmanship by the Phillies' Chase Utley, the fact is a missed call played a part in Philadelphia's 6-5 victory over Colorado in Sunday night's Game 3 of the National League Division Series. In the top of the ninth with Jimmy Rollins at second, Utley hit a pitch from Rockies closer Huston Street that, replays showed, clearly bounced off Utley's leg while he was still in the batter's box before landing in fair ground in front of the plate and along the first-base line. A ball that hits a batter while he's still in the box is supposed to be ruled dead. However, no umpire saw the ball hit Utley, who ran to first. First-base umpire Ron ..."

Utley getting groove back

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October 12

Denver Post

"Chase Utley had been hitting so badly - how bad was he? - he was hitting like Garrett Atkins. Entering Game 3 at Coors Field, the Phillies' all-star second baseman was just 22 for his past 122 at-bats (.180), but Utley busted his slump Sunday, the same night as did the Rockies' Atkins, the best man in Utley's wedding. In the ninth inning, Utley came up with perhaps the team's biggest hit - sure enough, it was an excuse-me roller that hit his leg - down the first-base line, moving Jimmy Rollins to third base with just one out. Ryan Howard hit a sacrifice fly on the next at-bat to drive in the winning run. "It might have hit me," Utley said. "My body was numb out there, but nobody said ..."

Victory on a night made for Utley

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October 12

Philadelphia Daily News

"It was the sort of night made for Chase Utley. Made for his swing. Made for his reputation. Made for his demeanor. It was cold. Short, compact swings work in the cold. It was a hard night to play baseball. Chase Utley, if nothing else, is a hard kind of baseball player. It was unforgiving. Ask Utley about making a mistake, or watching one made, and you'll understand that parallel. He made no mistakes last night. He had a hand in the scoring in three of the four innings in which the Phillies scored. He did it every which way; three hits, a walk and lots of chutzpah. When hard-throwing, high-throwing Rockies starter Jason Hammel dropped a 1-0 fastball into the hitting zone in the first ..."

Free-agent solution to Utley burnout?

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October 9

Philadelphia Inquirer

"The problem is obvious: Late in every season, Chase Utley becomes tired, and his performance suffers. So what can the Phillies do to address the issue in the future?Manager Charlie Manuel said that rather than try to change anything about Utley's intense approach, he would like an upgrade in the utility infield position, a player who can fill in for Utley and shortstop Jimmy Rollins when those two need a rest. Two members of this winter's free-agent class would fit that need: Mark DeRosa of the St. Louis Cardinals and Marco Scutaro of the Toronto Blue Jays."I would like to have somebody who can . . . give Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley a spell, and it would probably be real hard to find, ..."

Phillies' Utley, Rockies' Atkins will be friends again after series is over

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October 7

Denver Post

"Chase Utley is a big Garrett Atkins fan. Utley is just going to take a break from it this week. The two were teammates at UCLA, and Atkins was the best man in Utley's wedding. When Atkins was struggling in the early stages of the season, it was Utley he routinely called for solace. "I'm always pulling for him," Utley said. "I just hope he slows it down a little bit against us." Atkins showed signs down the stretch that he could be a factor in the playoffs. And sure enough, when it came time for Jim Tracy to announce his lineup for Game 1 of today's National League division series, Atkins was in the five hole against left-hander Cliff Lee. Atkins hit .313 in the last two weeks of the season ..."

Utley, Happ tame Mets

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August 23

Camden Courier-Post

"Years from now, when they're older and grayer, there will come a night for the 2008 Phillies to gather on a field, take their bows and commemorate a round-numbered anniversary of their crowning moment as World Series champions. But it doesn't have to be a singular celebration. So, after Nolan Ryan and Tom Seaver headlined the pregame ceremony for the 40th anniversary of the 1969 "Miracle Mets" Saturday night, the Phillies continued their march toward a second straight title, one that would validate all that happened last season and affirm that these really are the franchise's glory years. And, in extending their division lead to 6 1/2 games over both Atlanta and Florida, the Phillies got ..."

Utley tops all-star votes

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June 17

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Phillies second baseman Chase Utley is in line to make his fourth straight start for the National League in next month's All-Star Game. And he might do it as the league's leading overall vote-getter. Utley moved into the lead, overtaking St. Louis slugger Albert Pujols, when the latest batch of NL results was announced yesterday. Utley had amassed 2,273,355 votes. Pujols, the leader at first base, had 2,158,036. The Phillies have six more games on their current homestand, and they lead the NL with an average attendance of 43,658. These numbers would suggest that Utley could extend his lead in in-stadium fan voting this week. Two other Phillies are in line to win starting berths for the NL. ..."

Utley tops all-star votes

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June 16

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Phillies second baseman Chase Utley is in line to make his fourth straight start for the National League in next month's All-Star Game.And he might do it as the league's leading overall vote-getter.Utley moved into the lead, overtaking St. Louis slugger Albert Pujols, when the latest batch of NL results was announced yesterday.Utley had amassed 2,273,355 votes. Pujols, the leader at first base, had 2,158,036.The Phillies have six more games on their current homestand, and they lead the NL with an average attendance of 43,658. These numbers would suggest that Utley could extend his lead in in-stadium fan voting this week."

Phillies' Utley an old-school player in modern times

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June 16

Philadelphia Daily News

columnist Rich Hofmann

"FOR THE SECOND straight year now, Chase Utley leads all National League players in All-Star votes. Consider that for a second. He has never won a batting title, or a home-run title, or been named Most Valuable Player. He is a sabermetrician's dream, yes, but it isn't clear how many of them vote.Utley led before and after the Phillies won the World Series, so it is more than simple fame. He plays a position, second base, where he is clearly the class of the league, and that helps the numbers, certainly - and the converse complicates the life of St. Louis first baseman Albert Pujols, seeing as how Pujols has somebody like Ryan Howard drawing votes from the same pool. Pujols is second to ..."

Chase Utley's second homer leads Phillies over Mets in 11th

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June 11

New York Daily News

"Mike Pelfrey was so frustrated with Chase Utley in the sixth inning that he barked at the Phillies' star, "Get back in the box!" By the end of the night, Utley had upset every other Met, too, by smacking a homer off Bobby Parnell leading off the 11th inning and dooming the offensively challenged Mets, 5-4, at Citi Field. In the Mets' first crack at Cole Hamels since he mocked them for their consecutive collapses, the "choke artists" made the Phillies' ace gag. But then the Mets looked like exactly what Hamels called them when they blew a three-run lead in the seventh inning and stranded a season-high 16 runners. "We had many opportunities and we just couldn't seem to get the big hit," ..."

Utley powers Phils in 11th

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June 11

Camden Courier-Post

"It could have -- and probably should have -- been over. Fernando Martinez, the New York Mets' promising rookie, had stroked a two-out, pinch-hit single in the 10th inning Wednesday night and already was running when David Wright laced a sinking liner into right field, the kind that usually results in a walk-off victory. But, apparently, Jayson Werth wanted to keep playing. So, the Phillies' athletic right fielder dove, his limbs fully extended and his body parallel to the grass, and snared the ball, preserving the tie just long enough for Chase Utley to snap it with a leadoff homer in the 11th. One night after Brad Lidge went on the disabled list, stand-in closer Ryan Madson saved the ..."

Why Phillies second baseman Chase Utley is the man

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June 3

Philadelphia Daily News

columnist Sam Donnellon

"EVERYONE HAS his list of greatest playmakers. Christian Laettner, with his prayer. Magic, with his junior, junior skyhook. Scottie Reynolds, running past five Pitt defenders, running Villanova into the Final Four. Tiger Woods on almost any Sunday that he's healthy. Most of those lists do not contain the name of one baseball player. How come? The game's individuality, the layers of statistics that organize stars in well-defined categories, seem to crowd out the term, playmaker. Clutch hitters, great fielders, all may possess the innovation of a Larry Fitzgerald. But when is the last time you heard a manager plead for just one "playmaker?"Occasionally, though, the game's matrix burps long ..."

Utley, Victorino talk about the mental side of a hitting streak

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May 14

Philadelphia Daily News

"THE 30-GAME hit streak of Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman came to an end yesterday afternoon in Washington's 6-3 win over the Giants, meaning he will not eclipse either Chase Utley's 35-game streak in 2006 - tied for 10th all time - or Jimmy Rollins' 38-game effort in 2005-06, which is the eighth longest in major league history.But it also means there will be a big weight off of Zimmerman's shoulders when the Phillies travel to Washington this weekend. Utley says he can relate."It's pretty much impossible to keep it out of your mind," said Utley, whose streak ran from June 23 to Aug. 3. "But I don't think it really changes, it shouldn't change, your approach or the way you prepare ..."

Utley wouldn't miss this chance

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May 7

Camden Courier-Post

"In the end, there wasn't really any doubt. For the past six days, ever since he got hit by a pitch last Friday night, Chase Utley has been hobbled by a bruised right foot that sidelined him for two games. But with the Phillies making their first appearance at brand new Citi Field, and Mets ace Johan Santana on the mound, there wasn't any way Utley was going to miss it. Just in case, though, manager Charlie Manuel scratched out two lineups Wednesday. And it wasn't until after Utley fielded grounders, took batting practice, lightly jogged in the outfield and had his egg-sized bruise checked by athletic trainer Scott Sheridan that Manuel decided to stick with the lineup that included his ..."

Bruised right foot puts Utley on bench

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May 6

Camden Courier-Post

"Chase Utley played most of last season through hip pain that had to be relieved by surgery in November. So, it was fairly predictable that he wanted to play here Tuesday night despite a badly bruised right foot. This time, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel wouldn't allow it. For the second time in three games, Manuel held Utley out of the lineup, replacing him at second base with Miguel Cairo for the finale of a two-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Asked if Utley will be ready to play tonight against the Mets in New York, Manuel said, "We'll have to wait and see." "I don't see it being a long-term thing," Manuel said. "He wanted to play (Tuesday night), but I ..."

Utley, Feliz to be ready for opener, Manuel says

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March 27

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Turns out all that time spent wondering whether Chase Utley and Pedro Feliz would be ready for opening day was a waste.Yesterday, manager Charlie Manuel said that both players would be ready for the April 5 opener.And he said he knew it the whole time."They're going to be fine," Charlie the Clairvoyant said. "I knew it. Watching them and talking to them and knowing the guys, I knew it."Both players had surgery in November, Utley on his hip and Feliz on his back. Initial estimates had Utley being out possibly until June. Feliz was expected back by opening day, but questions rose when he was slow to resume baseball activity early in spring training.Utley hit his second homer in as many games ..."

Utley: 'It felt pretty good'

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March 16

Camden Courier-Post

"After playing four innings Saturday in the relative anonymity of a minor-league intrasquad game on a back field at the Carpenter Complex, Chase Utley awoke here Sunday with minimal soreness in his surgically repaired right hip. So, he did what came natural. He told manager Charlie Manuel he was ready to play again. Manuel inserted him at the top of the Phillies' lineup for a Grapefruit League game at Bright House Field. After only 16 weeks since his surgery, Utley got his first at-bats against a major-league pitcher in game conditions. It was the latest sign he'll be ready for the season-opener April 5 at Citizens Bank Park. "I was a little unsure how it would feel because you can do so ..."

Phils' Utley makes a second spring appearance

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March 16

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Chase Utley received a standing ovation before leading off for the Phillies yesterday, as the public address system at Bright House Field played the chorus from John Fogerty's song "Centerfield" - Put me in coach, I'm ready to play, today.Actually, Utley was ready to play Saturday, when the all-star second baseman made an unannounced appearance in a minor-league intrasquad game. Utley underwent right hip surgery on Nov. 24, and had not seen game action since.Because the Phillies had said many times that he would not make his first appearance until this week, Utley's Saturday start was a surprise - although manager Charlie Manuel acknowledged that afternoon that the intrasquad appearance ..."

Utley remains optimistic about Opening Day

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March 16

Philadelphia Daily News

"There were several anxious members of the Phillies organization when Chase Utley arrived at the ballpark yesterday morning, not the least of whom was the veteran second baseman himself. The previous day, Utley had played four innings in a minor league game at the Carpenter Complex, his first game action since undergoing hip surgery on Nov. 24. While all reports were positive - Utley went 2-for-4 with a double - the true test would come after a night's sleep.So when Charlie Manuel arrived at the ballpark and spoke with Utley, he was pleased with what he heard."He just said that he'd like to play today,'' Manuel said.After a conversation with head athletic trainer Scott Sheridan, that's ..."

Utley goes 2-for-4 in intrasquad game

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March 15

Camden Courier-Post

"The Phillies' great wait for Chase Utley ended in a veil of secrecy. Less than four months after undergoing surgery on his right hip, the Phillies' All-Star second baseman played in an intrasquad game Saturday at the Carpenter Complex. He went 2-for-4 with a single, a ground-rule double and two strikeouts. According to Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., Utley also played four flawless innings at second base. "He felt like he was ready to get into (a game) and test the waters," Amaro Jr. said during the Phils' 5-2 Grapefruit League win over the Houston Astros at Osceola County Stadium. "We'll see how he feels (this) morning and progress day by day." While Amaro Jr. was watching the ..."

Utley takes field for four innings

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March 15

Philadelphia Inquirer

"While the Phillies defeated the Houston Astros, 5-2, yesterday afternoon, one of the most significant developments of their spring training unfolded about 95 miles away, as second baseman Chase Utley made his first appearance in a game.Utley went 2 for 4, with a double and two strikeouts, and played four innings in the field during a minor-league intrasquad game at the Carpenter Complex in Clearwater, Fla.According to manager Charlie Manuel, the team decided several days ago that their three-time all-star, who underwent right hip surgery last November, would play yesterday.General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said the decision was made collectively by Utley and team personnel."We felt like he ..."

Utley may join Phils' lineup next week

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March 14

MLB.com

"Chase Utley walked into the Phillies' clubhouse Friday morning with one of his white pant legs stained bright green. Fresh grass stains. Utley, who is recovering from offseason surgery to his right hip, hadn't tripped and stumbled down a hill. He was at the Carpenter Complex sliding, which had been considered a final step toward returning to game action. "It went well," Utley said after Friday's 6-5 loss to the Pirates at Bright House Field. Word is that Utley could make his first Grapefruit League appearance sometime next week. "I'm getting closer," Utley said. Pedro Feliz, who is recovering from offseason surgery on his lower back, is no longer close to getting into a Grapefruit League ..."

Utley's big play impressed Andersen

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March 13

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Pitchers always appreciate good defense, so it was no surprise that Phillies broadcaster Larry Andersen, a former pitcher, said his favorite memory from the 2008 World Series championship season was second baseman Chase Utley's run-saving play in the clinching fifth game.The game was tied at 3-3 with two outs in the top of the seventh when Utley got to Akinori Iwamura's bouncer up the middle.Utley faked to first, conceding a hit to Iwamura, and noticed that baserunner Jason Bartlett was rounding third and heading home. Utley threw quickly to catcher Carlos Ruiz for the out at the plate.The Phils went ahead in the bottom of the inning and won, 4-3."That's not an easy play," Andersen said. ..."

Utley's second BP goes smoothly

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February 22

MLB.com

"Chase Utley said Thursday that he planned to start taking batting practice in the very near future. The "very near future" sounded like a couple of days. He meant later that day. Utley quietly took batting practice in the batting cages at Bright House Field on Thursday. He took another round of BP on Saturday. "It went well," Utley said. It is a small development in Utley's recovery from surgery on his right hip Nov. 24. But it seems to indicate that Utley, who estimated he took about 60 swings Saturday, continues to progress as he keeps his eye on being in the Phillies' lineup on Opening Day on April 5 against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park."

Phillies' Utley Accelerates His Comeback

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February 20

New York Times

"Chase Utley of the Phillies hammered a baseball off a batting tee, waited, readied himself and then hit another. Utley took a careful approach to this simple hitting drill Thursday because he is recovering from hip surgery and needs to be cautious. His goal is to play in the season opener on April 5. After Utley had surgery to trim the labrum and a bony lesion in his right hip on Nov. 24, doctors told him he would need four to six months to recover. As Utley's rehabilitation continued accelerating at training camp in Clearwater, Fla., he said that playing in the first game for the Phillies, the defending World Series champions, was realistic. "I would say the chances, right now, I don't ..."

Can't keep a good man down

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February 12

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Wearing sunglasses, gym shorts, a T-shirt and running shoes, Chase Utley walked out of the clubhouse and onto the emerald grass at Bright House Field about 10:30 yesterday morning. Utley spotted a reporter and good-naturedly said, "I'm invisible." Try as he might, Utley will be anything but invisible as the Phillies spend the next seven weeks under the Florida sun preparing to defend their World Series title. In fact, Mr. Invisible will be the most watched player in camp. The all-star second baseman had surgery on his right hip Nov. 24. Early estimates had Utley's recovery time at four to six months, meaning there was a possibility he would not return to the lineup until late May or early ..."

Utley confident he'll be ready

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February 12

Camden Courier-Post

"Maybe it was the idyllic weather (75 and sunny), or the impossibly green grass, or the inviting sign near the clubhouse entrance welcoming visitors to the Florida home of the 2008 World Series champions. Or, maybe, it was just how Chase Utley was feeling. Regardless, Utley sounded an optimistic chord here Wednesday, restating his belief that he will be ready to play in the April 5 season-opener at Citizens Bank Park. Never mind that it has been only 11 weeks since he underwent surgery on his right hip, or that he's only just begun fielding light grounders, or that he hasn't swung a bat since October. "So far, we're on that path," Utley said of playing second base for the Phillies on ..."

Utley optimistic about Opening Day return to Phillies

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January 26

Philadelphia Daily News

"All-Star second baseman, orthopedic nomad."I go where the trainers go," the Phillies' most important rehabilitative project told reporters over the weekend.And so, in 2 short weeks, Utley will head to Clearwater, Fla., where he will continue rehabbing his surgically repaired right hip under the watchful eye of head athletic trainer Scott Sheridan.Since having surgery in New York to fix an injury that had nagged him since last spring training, Utley has spent 5 days a week at Citizens Bank Park readying himself for a return to the baseball diamond. According to both player and team, the rehab has gone as well as could have been expected, meaning there is a reasonable chance that his return ..."

Eaton not in the mix for starting spot

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January 25

Camden Courier-Post

"As the Phillies advanced through the playoffs and won the World Series, Adam Eaton sat in his suburban Seattle home and watched on television. His exile continued when he wasn't invited to the victory parade down Broad Street. And, now, Eaton isn't being considered for the Phillies' vacant No. 5 starter spot. "It's a four-man competition, and he is not involved in that," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Saturday at Citizens Bank Park. "Is it possible Eaton pitches well enough to put himself in the mix? You never know what's going to happen. But we just think the other four guys have a better opportunity to help us win." Thus, when spring training starts next month in Clearwater, Fla., ..."

Utley has surgery, may return for opener

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November 26

Camden Courier-Post

"Chase Utley has undergone right hip surgery, and based on details of the procedure provided by the Phillies, an independent orthopedic surgeon said Tuesday it "sounds reasonable" that the All-Star second baseman could be ready to play by the April 5 season-opener. "I'd guess that it's very possible," said Dr. Victor Kalman of the Wilmington-based Morgan-Kalman Clinic. "It sounds like everything went very well." The Phillies' medical and training staffs remain cautious, sticking with their initial timetable that Utley's recovery will take four to six months. Utley likely will use crutches for two to three weeks after the surgery, performed Monday at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New ..."

No complications from Utley's hip procedure

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November 26

Philadelphia Daily News

"No news is good news in surgery, so it was with some degree of relief that the Phillies digested their initial report on the success of All-Star second baseman Chase Utley's hip procedure, which took place Monday in New York. The medical term for what renowned surgeon Dr. Bryan Kelly performed was a debridement, which essentially means a piece of the labrum in the hip was shaved off. According to Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., Kelly also cleaned out some bone fragments from the hip, all in an effort to relieve the uncomfortable "pinching" sensation that plagued Utley throughout his nevertheless impressive 2008 season. Surprises in the context of Christmas are good, but not so ..."

Amaro upbeat on Utley surgery

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November 25

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Ruben Amaro Jr. has not had much time to reflect on the Phillies' World Series championship.He has been too busy since he replaced Pat Gillick as general manager."It's been a bit of whirlwind," Amaro said last night at the Phillies' World Series DVD premiere at the Bridge Cinema De Lux in Philadelphia. "It'll be nice to sit down, watch what happened, and kind of relive it."But while the Phillies and their fans enjoyed the story of the 2008 season at five area theaters last night, the Phillies' future remains a hot topic of conversation - and nothing has been hotter than the condition of Chase Utley's hip. Utley had surgery on his right hip yesterday at the Hospital for Special Surgery in ..."

Utley may be out until June

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November 22

Wilmington News Journal

"For months, he had been sapped of his power, and his batting average plummeted. But Chase Utley didn't want to make excuses, so he gritted his teeth, kept playing and refused to publicly acknowledge the worst-kept secret in the Phillies' clubhouse. Something was wrong, seriously wrong, with his right hip. Now, the story can be told. Now, after the Phillies revealed Thursday that Utley will undergo surgery next week in New York that likely will cause him to miss the start of the 2009 season and could threaten to sideline him until June, it's evident just how much pain he played through. "Chase endured," athletic trainer Scott Sheridan said. "He's a pretty tough guy. His tolerance is pretty ..."

The Sporting News honors Utley, Lidge

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October 25

Philadelphia Daily News

"Chase Utley and Brad Lidge have picked up their first postseason accolades by being named to The Sporting News' 2008 National League all-star team.It was Utley's second consecutive selection as the league's top second baseman by TSN, after setting a career high with 33 home runs and driving in more than 100 runs for the fourth straight year.Lidge was named the league's top reliever after cashing in on all 41 save opportunities he had during the regular season, while striking out 92 batters in 69 1/3 innings.The all-star teams were selected by a panel of 41 general managers and assistant GMs from both the American and National Leagues.No member of Tampa Bay was selected to the AL squad."