Utley on the Big Four, his health and pressure to win
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Utley on the Big Four, his health and pressure to win
Daily News staff
Chase Utley was as surprised as you were about the Phillies' signing Cliff Leee.
“I found out probably the same time you found out," he told Fox Sports Radio. "It was pretty interesting. I read the same things you do. It was a big surprise, but I’m pretty excited about it.”
And while everyone else was trying to come up with nickname for the Big Four, Utley went with a reference to the original Fab Four.
“It’s like John, Paul, George and Ringo," he said, according to sportsradiointerviews.com. "We’ve got four guys that are unbelievable. I’ve had the opportunity to play with Cliff a few years ago and he’s a workhorse. He prepares well, works quick, makes the infielders stay on our toes. He’s a good pitcher and a good teammate.”
Here are some other thoughts from the All-Star second baseman ...
On whether this is a move because the Phillies lost to the Giants:
“It’s hard to say. When it comes to playoff baseball, there’s a reason why teams get to the playoffs and any team can beat any team at a given time. With the team we have now, I think we have a pretty good opportunity.”
On whether he was really healthy last year:
“For some reason, it has been a concern over the past few years. Obviously I had my hip injury a few years ago. I rehabbed that and got it back to the point where it feels good. I’m healthy. Obviously, playing on a daily basis, you get bumps and bruises … but it’s part of the game. … I’ve started to eat a lot healthier, more organic stuff, and my body is starting feel better.”
On if there’s more pressure to win the World Series now:
“I don’t look at it with that point. We have a team that’s obviously experienced. We have some veteran guys and some great players and a great clubhouse. I’m not too worried about the expectations. … We’re not going to try to get involved in all the media stuff.”
On if the Lee signing is a sign that the Phillies are going for it now before they miss their window of opportunity:
“I think the organization realizes that you don’t run across this group of guys very often and to put us in a position to be successful, you’ve got to give them a lot of credit. You never want this to come to a climax, you want to keep it going in the long haul and try to prolong it as long as possible. … It’s not easy to put a team together like this, so it’s pretty cool.”
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trade howard now while you can still get a lot for him. you can get 3 young quality position players and save big on payroll. if they don't do it, it becomes the donovan mcnabb situation all over again. ryan doesn't hit the ball where it's pitched like donovan can't perform proper throwing mechanics. i don't think either one can be coached.— goofyfooterwill- You know what is great about this whole rotaton thing? Only Hamels has pitched his team to a World Series win! He took the opportunity by the throat and did it. This is just wild! It is December, and I can't get enough Phillies. How great is that?!?— justacarpenter
- Whoever wants Moyer back is a DODO!— Bill S
- News Item: His agent has confirmed the Phillie Phanatic has agreed to play right field for the team this year. The Phanatic will be playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic before reporting to Spring Training... he will be replaced as team mascot by Joe Blanton…— stan the man too
- Obviously, Chase's numbers have been on the decline. The Phillies really need him to step it up this year.— syddan26
- The Phab Four.— chris in indy
- No one is talking about it, but, it is very likely that it may not be out of the realm of possibilities to find a way to get J.A.Haap back to the Phillies to truely make it an incredible rotation for the Phillies' starting rotation. Few people recall, but, when the Dodgers were in their peak in the 1960's, they actually had a rotation of five or six starters. Everyone recalls Koufax, Drysdale, Osteen,added to them Miller, Sutton, and Podres. Just think of the possibilities of having Halladay, Lee, Hamel, Oswalt, and Haap with a Moyer comming back from a career extending surgery! That would be incredible if the hitting can get back to where it was a year ago! Do I hear in the wind, "Break up the Phillies?"— boggie
- Chase is a tough, tough player. In fact, there is no "theory of evolution." Just a list of animals that Chase Utley allows to live.— Crystal Ball
- A lot to comment here. First I feel that Rollins and Utley will bounce back and have all-star years. Remember how Howard spent his off seasons learning how to be a real good first baseman, I think he is doing the same thing with his hitting this offseason. He can strike out 100 times as long as he hit .270, 40 hrs and 120 rbi's. Big deals are made about strikeouts, and not about the .220 hitter who grounds out 8 out of 10 times. Not signing Werth gave the Phils the cash to go get Cliff Lee, having Lee is a much better deal, replacing Werth is a lot easier than replacing Lee. I think this is going to be a banner year going all the way to and winning the world series.— jlarsen6644
- THIS JUST IN: REYES DEAL IS OFF. MLB.com and Phillies.com reporting this, meaning the Inqy and Daily News might blog it by Monday. No one's saying why but my guess is he's gone from 5-11, 240 pounds to 5-10, 280 -- and we had second thoughts. So, JC Romero, anyone? Or can we count on Bastardo to be intimidating enough against left-handed batters? It wasn't like Reyes was that good last year anyway.— eman
- I read where Reyes changed his mind on signing the contract he agreed to a couple of weeks ago. I guess he thought he might be able to get some of that Lee $$$. My opinion is who needs a left handed relief specialist that left handed hitters batted OVER .300 against.— duckman15
- How about the Phantastic four?— bgual
Our number 4 is way better than Ringo.
What do you call a guy who hangs around musicians?
A drummer.
— COskier- what guru26 said!— philasportsfan
