Same Ole Story

This morning the Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. issued the following statement regarding Second baseman Chase Utley.  "Chase's rehab process has come to a bit of a plateau. He has made some strides, but not enough to take the field. He is headed out of town for a few days to be evaluated by a specialist that has helped athletes overcome his issue. "We anticipate that this trip will allow him to build on what he has already done with [head athletic trainer] Scott Sheridan in order to get over the hump. He wants more than anything to be on the field with his teammates, and we believe that this is a step in that direction." "I worry about Chase, because it's a chronic knee problem," said Amaro.

Chase Utley and his worrisome knees are big
concern for the Phillies.

What this really means is, it looks likely that Chase Utley will start the season on the DL for the second year in a row due to the knee problems that have plagued him for that last few years. We all know the 33 year old Utley has bad knees and at this point there is no surgery planned. For himself and the team the best they can really do is wait this one out (again). 

I will my two cents on this subject. First off, Im tired of hearing the same ole story from other teams fans that the Phillies are old and its time to rebuild. You know what, Its very rare that a "young" team wins the World Series anyway. The Florida Marlins in 1997 were young but look at the flip side of it and say the 2009 Yankees were not. A team does not have to have everyone in their 20's to win a world series. Jamie Moyer won his first and only World Series at the ripe old age of 45 and pitched amazing throughout the 2008 playoffs. Yes I know that is not a position player who has knee problems but Im just trying to make somewhat of a comparison. 

Im my honest opinion, Is Utley ever going to be 100% again? No, Is Utley going to ever be the player he was from 2005- 2010? No. Can Chase Utley still be productive and be one of the better second baseman in the National League? Yes he can, the guy when feeling only eighty percent is still better than most the guys on the field, for either team. His vision, his reflexes, his footwork, his arm is what makes Chase the all-star player he is. When it comes to his bat, Well, hes not just a power hitter, he knows how to spread the ball all over the field, his short follow through is maybe one of the sweetest things I have ever seen. 

I as much as any Phillies fan am hoping Chase will return sooner than later, the Phillies need his leadership, his sportsmanship and his presence in the line-up. However with this being the second year in a row without the possibility of seeing Chase Utley's name in the opening day line-up, maybe it is time for the Phillies to start looking for the next Chase Utely to play second base.  

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