Chase Utley Out Until June? No Big Deal

First thoughts when I heard the news about Chase Utley: thank goodness it’s being done now so he’ll be ready by the start of the 2009 season.

Next thing I know, Utley’s injury could keep him out until June.

In the words of Chase, that’s just (bleeping) great.

One thing I love about the Philadelphia Phillies is their big three: Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, and Chase Utley. Rollins and Howard have already shown the league they have what it takes to win a M.V.P. award.

At the beginning of the season, it seemed like Utley would be in the run for M.V.P. at the end of the year

And that’s what is going to hurt the Phillies the most by losing Utley at the beginning of the season. Utley’s been one of those guys who seems to get off to a hot offensive start at the beginning of the season (we all know he’s one of the best defensive second baseman in the league).  

For the first time in 28 years, the Phillies will come into the start of the season as the defending champions. Utley might be down until June, but I don’t see that having too much of an effect on the Phillies.

Don’t get me wrong, nobody can replace Utley at second base. The team loves him. The fans love him. He has always played a major role contributing to the Phillies success.

Why am I not worried about the Phillies struggling with Utley out?

Exhibit A: 2008 World Series.

Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, and Chase Utley. These are the main guys that get most of the credit when people talk about the Philadelphia Phillies.

In the 2008 World Series, these three players contributed enough to bring the city of Philadelphia their first championship.

However, the 2008 Phillies showed us how important it is to play as a team.

The Phillies roster was loaded with players who stepped it up in the post season.

Cole Hamels was nearly perfect each game he stepped on the mound. Brett Myers and Joe Blanton not only worked wonders with their arm, but their bats as well.

Shane Victorino played like an M.V.P. throughout the whole postseason. He even hit a grand slam off of C.C. Sabathia, a guy who most teams in the National League couldn’t figure out how to hit off of.

Pat Burrell, Matt Stairs...I could name players for the next hour.

The main point I’m trying to get across is that the Phillies won the 2008 World Series as a team. When key players such as Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard struggled at the plate, other guys stepped up their game to make up for the other guys.

Chase Utley will be missed, there’s no doubt about that. If anything, I love the guy even more for playing the end of the season through the injury.

The positive side to this issue is that Utley will return healthy. He may be absent from the game for a couple of months, but I still expect him to get off to the hot start he’s used to when June rolls around.