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"Chase Utley, you are the man!"

Harry Kalas' famous quote is being used an awful lot these days. Even Kalas, himself, is saying it.

Utley continues to make a serious bid for himself to become the Phillies' 3rd straight National League Most Valuable Player. For the second time this season, Chase has hit homers in five consecutive games. That feat has only been accomplished by three other major leaguers in the history of the game.

Statement to ponder: Chase Utley could very well hurt his chances at being a league MVP by acting like a humble shy guy.
While Utley's outstanding talent increases his popularity each day (Utley leads all ML'ers in votes for All Star voting), I can't help but feel he could be far more adored. Is it too much to ask for Utley to pump a fist, or tell the guys on Daily News Live that he's excited about this team's chances and how he's been playing? I want personality and I know I am not alone. I don't need a "hot dog" the likes of Manny Ramirez, I just want a star player who will celebrate a game winning homerun (remember all the fun Ryan Howard used to have with Rick White over the phones and with Chris Roberson & Smooth-Roll in the dugout in 2006?)...or a guy who will clap his hands and give a wink toward his team in the dugout (recall how Jimmy Rollins constantly did this sort of thing in 2007?). Showing some emotion, certainly wouldn't hurt a player's chances to win such high recognition.

Comments

mark evans said…
Mr. Ballz,
Your commentary is well written, and well noted. However, I personally find Utley's humility on and off the field to be a breath of fresh air in the all too common "me first" world of professional sports. And I may not be alone in this feeling- or is it merely coincidence that he's leading the pack in all-star voting?

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