Chase Puts It Best
Chase Utley said it all today at Citizens Bank Park.
Chase Puts It Best
Todd Zolecki
Chase Utley stole the show at Citizens Bank Park this afternoon when he told the crowd during its World Series champion, "World champions!"
Pause.
"World f------ champions!"
I was shocked, but I loved it. I also loved Jayson Werth's reaction. Priceless.
Here's a link. (parental guidance is advised).
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The Phillies announced they have declined the 2009 club options righthander Tom Gordon and outfielder So Taguchi. The Phillies had a $4.5 million option on Gordon, but took the $1 million buyout instead. The Phillies had a $1.25 million club option on Taguchi, but took the $125,000 option instead.
Comments (85)
Now, now Todd, you shouldn't be so happy with such profanity. Timval had his poor 5 year old son hear that and oh my gosh, it just about made his ears melt! Probably will now grow up to be a serial killer because of it. As for me, I'm all for more serial killers, so I loved it too.— Deb in Dixie- That's just Utley being Utley.— veritas
- Lou Gehrig it was not. He's an amazing ball player though.— NJLouis66
- i loved it too...i really thought that chase was just trying to be funny and capture some of the ridiculousness from the home run derby...overall, great parade, fantastic day, hope to do it again next year— thelawschoolkid
- The newest Phillies tee shirt!!! LOL! I bet MLB warns the media to put the *5 second delay* in effect, everytime Chase has a mike in his hand! Wonder if he'll get a fine this time. I'LL PAY IT. Just one more reason the love the guy!— Norma
- they should obviously write it down as "world phu c k i n g champions" as all "f"'s should be replaced w/ "ph"s for the next year— thelawschoolkid
- I failed to see the humor in it with my grandkids in attendance and for the many kids watching. But in the Jerry Springer, lowest common denominator world we live in, I guess it's considered funny. My respect for Chase took a serious dive today. Truth, I guess I'll have to switch alligance over to Howard as my favorite player, now that I've seen the definition of low class in Utley.— jimmymack
- So where is Aaron Rowand these days???? Pat Gillick is a horrible GM??? I guess alot of people where completely wrong with those two!!! I love how everyone booed the heck out of Bud Selig right after the big win. Did anybody see all those people trying to hit Peter Gammons with those loafs of bread on Wednesday night?? That was hilarious!!!!!!— Clinton, NJ
- Big Utley fan here...but no class at all. He just lost millions of dollars in sponsorships. In the position he is in he is a role model to the youth and he blew it! Like one reply said if he was somewhere else where there was not millions of kids watching it may be fine. Not the way to close a great day out....SAD.— E RocK
Awesome day. Take public transportation? Right. I disobeyed orders and... DROVE into the city. No traffic, and was able to park for free about 8 blocks north of City Hall. I then walked to Market East and met my wife, who was lucky enough to get on an R5 train. Broad St subway? Forget it. So we ended up walking to the stadiums, catching an up-close view of the parade floats along the way. Caught the action at the Linc and then, you guessed it, walked all the way back up to Center City. That's roughly 9 miles walked. Can you say 'blisters'? But so worth it. A fun day all around. And for the record, I'm with jimmymack: I LOVE Chase Utley, but my respect for him really took a hit today. A small, but unnecessary blemish on an otherwise AWESOME day!!! Thank you Phillies!!!!— bobby- Geez...the poor children...what will happen to the children?? Barf. People get on Utley for showing no emotion. He lets his emotions free and people jump on him. It's freaking Philadelphia. I tell people that swearing is in our DNA and that the state bird of NJ is the middle finger. I guess that makes me classless too, but so be it. See this is what drives me nuts about Philly fans. I can understand you not liking what he said. I can understand you thinking he has no class. But to say Utley is the definition of low class, to say you will switch you allegiance from Utley to another player (and forget that throw to the plate may well have been the play that got us the series...)...well that is just ridiculous. The players are human too. I'm sorry you may have had to take five minutes out of your life to do your job as a parent and explain that Utley was caught up in the moment and all. But that is your job. Utley did his job by helping us win a championship.— Deb in Dixie
- Oh, and btw...I am convinced after watching it a few times that it may have been part of a dare. See how the other players reacted, it was like "wow...he said he would do it but I didn't believe it..." That doesn't excuse what he did, just throwing that observation out there.— Deb in Dixie
- Lighten up, Deb. Nobody is saying forget what Chase does on the field. You can say he got caught up in the moment. Fine. Yes, he's human. Fine. But to try and defend his actions today is what is ridiculous. If you want to go so far as to embrace the 'classless' title, well that's your call.— bobby
- To all those so upset by this - if you prefer plastic people, that's your right. But if this is the worst thing you - or your children - ever see or hear, if this is the worst way you know of for someone to let loose with some emotion and genuiness, you must live in a different universe. (And of course you've never used the word, right?)— what is truth?
- I'll lighten up when ya'll do. And I do think Jimmymack is forgetting. And I can defend Chase's actions. Perhaps it was a mistake. But we all make them. But this is baseball, for all the great things he has done (not just on the field but raising money for animals) I think he deserves to get 3 strikes before he is out. This is a guy who has NEVER been a prima donna. Never been an off field distraction. Who never dogs it, always plays full out. So I think that is worth defending and worth cutting him some slack for getting caught up in the moment.— Deb in Dixie
- World champions! World Monkey Champions!— albanykey
- You go girl!! Deb in Dixie is a tough cookie!! CHASE IS THE MAN!!!!— Clinton, NJ
- I know Chase is a public figure and all that, but have you ever been to an eagles game??? Its just crazy what I've heard parents telling their very young kids to yell at the other teams fans. I know its not the same and blah blah blah, but if most of these young kids are eagles fans as well as Phillies fans, then forget, they have heard this stuff at breakfast LOL— Clinton, NJ
- So, we're all required to be tolerant of Chase's vulgarity, but no one is required to be tolerant of some people's cringing at it in the presence of our kids? Nice. Hey Deb, just curious: Could somebody get away with calling you a b---- or a c---? Those are just words, aren't they? And shall we use the N-word to describe our first baseman or shortstop? If the F-bomb is just a word, why the need for a dare? Why the crowd reaction? Obviously, some words carry a lot of baggage and some carry connotations of classlessness.— timval3106
- So, we're all required to be tolerant of Chase's vulgarity, but no one is required to be tolerant of some people's cringing at it in the presence of our kids? Nice. Hey Deb, just curious: Could somebody get away with calling you a b---- or a c---? Those are just words, aren't they? And shall we use the N-word to describe our first baseman or shortstop? If the F-bomb is just a word, why the need for a dare? Why the crowd reaction? Obviously, some words carry a lot of baggage and some carry connotations of classlessness.— timval3106
- On the other hand, I thought Jamie Moyer was very eloquent, and Cole Hamels seemed genuinely moved by the outpouring of the fans. And Cole in his street clothes looks like Jim Carrey.— NJLouis66
- Interesting. My previous post, which was laden with profanity, got moderated out. I guess some people get to cuss, and some people don't.— timval3106
- Great ball player, but needs to grow up.
- I, too, thought Cole looked a bit like Jim Carey.— timval3106
- Never said it was just a word. I know it has weight. Again, my point is, I can understand being upset. I can understand thinking it was classless. But what I don't get is how so many people seem willing to throw Chase under the bus for this. Be mad, sure. But to say he is a moron or "definition of low class" seems wildly out of proportion for all he has done for this city. We all make mistakes. So cut him some slack. If you want to be Christian about it, let he who is without sin cast the first stone. And frankly, while perhaps as a parent you shouldn't have to explain this to your kids, the fact is when you decided to have children you signed up for this. Sometimes you have to explain things you expected, sometimes you have to explain things that come out of the blue. Don't want to do this? Then don't have kids or never let them leave the house.— Deb in Dixie
- stick and stones may break my bones....but words will never hurt me!!! Get over it....THE PHILLIES JUST WON THE WORLD SERIES!!!!!!!— Clinton, NJ
- And I, Deb, have never thrown Chase under the bus. I simply expressed my disappointment in his word choice, delivered in a very public and presumably family friendly venue. Yes, I'll cheer him on again next year until I'm hoarse. He's a great ball player, and I enjoy watching him play. As for being "Christian about it," the rest of that quotation you cited is, "Go and sin no more." In other words, aim higher.— timval3106
- Geez everybody! Lighten up!!! Take it for the context it was meant. Chase didn't say it in anger. He wasn't cursing out the crowd. It was meant as a celebration of a World Championship! All will be forgiven come spring training. Which by the way, is only 106 days away!— Norma
- Awesome day with one unecessary blemish. One strike? Okay, but some strikes stand out more than others - obviously. Nutter beseached the populace and they responded with class, and so did their role models, in every way but one. I feel most sorry for Chase. He can never take it back - not that he probably cares now but someday, if he's the class guy we all believe him to be, he probably will regret his decision so akin to swinging and missing at a 3-0 pitch so obviously in the dirt. For the same reason some great generals have made poor presidents so too some great athletes have made poor public speakers. But God bless all the Phillies - Charlie, Pat, Cole, Jimmy, Shane, Brad, Ryan, Chase, Bill Giles, Dave Montgomery. Thanks for the memories. You are winners.— Scoop
Comment removed.- Oh, the poor children! First, they start the day off by watching their parents LIE to their teachers. Then they hear their hero CURSE— Roscoe
- great world series. as far as utley goes, look around you & see the class of Moyer, Dobbs, & Lidge & hope you can someday have half the class they have. extreme butthead call— fishfinder
We all wish the players would give something other than the pre-recorded blah, blah about how they couldn't have done it without their teammates, they're taking it one game at a time, etc. So when Chase Utley goes way outside the safe envelope to express high emotion, we should all applaud heartily. I did. (And give me a break about the kids. The kids aren't embarrassed. Thin-skinned parents are sometimes embarrassed.)- I was stunned when I first heard what Chase said, but laughed my a@? off. The reactions of his teammates and others on the stage was priceless. I think he'll be more beloved in Philly than he ever was before. Chase is the man!— KarenA
- Of course kids hear this word. But it was unfortunate that they had to hear it from someone they look up to so much. And believe me, I did need to do my job as parent yesterday to explain why my kids' idol used that language. (By the way, if my kids used that language because they were "caught up in the moment" or being "genuine", they'd have a number of "moments" to think up better words to express their emotions while they were grounded.) He's a great player, can't take that away from him. But it was not the best way to end such a wonderful day. Again, not the appropriate venue.— pafam4
- We had our 2 sons at the Linc yesterday and it was a great day. My 5 year old didn't hear Chase, and my 8 year old did. I told him that Chase was caught up in emotions because he (and the rest of the team) worked really hard to achieve their ultimate goal. He also knows that it's an adult word and he's not allowed to say it. As far as Roscoe's comment about parents lying to teachers: I, for one, went into my children's school, dropped off their homework, and wrote a note excusing them for the day because they were going to the Phillies celebration. No lies there! Their teachers said "have fun, I wish I could be there!" This is history and my kids will never forget this fantastic day!— esc
- For all the cursing most of us have done the past 28 years, this is no big deal. Some of us refuse to get over ourselves which is why our country is in the state it is.....— MidlanticDave
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- An endless bloody war, sex on tv and movies, radio ads for strip clubs.... and people are offended by one word from what appears to be a good guy? Tell your precious kids (who are probably saying the word behind your oblivious backs) that it was a bad word and move on!— giamatt
- Deb, most people are not "throwing Chase under the bis", just commenting (as I believe this blog is meant for) that we are not thrilled with his choice of words. For me personally, it's not about "the kids" (although that's valid), it's just offensive to hear a fan favorite make such a statement in what shoudl be just a fun, positive day. That's just my opinion, and I'm not forcing it on you. I do find it kind of funny when people start off with "I'm not saying it was OK," and then go on to say how great it was, and end up focusing on just that statement as the highlight of their day. To me, that's the sad part of it, that this one small misjudgment should take any attention away from the point of all this celebrating.... the Phillies won the World Series!!!— bobby
- When i started reading some of the comments here, i can't say i was shocked, because people always over react about curse words, but still, it's such a crazy overreaction. so anyway i just talked to my cousin, who was at citizen's bank ballpark, along with my aunt and uncle, his wife, and his two little boys, ages 2 and 7. So i asked him what he thought about uttley's speach, if it offended or upset him because his kids, wife and mother were in attendance. this is response, verbatim: "Are you kid, Mom and Lindsey cheered their heads off when they heard it, they're not gonna let a little word mess up this celebration, and as far as the kids, hey i'd rather them not hear, but it's no big deal, they no they better watch their f*cking mouths or they're in trouble. haha see people it doesn't matter what the evil chase uttly does, if you're a good parent your children are smart and balanced enough for this not to bother them at all.— flyers70
- Under the "bis"??? Um, "bus." ;)— bobby
- I agree with Deb... it was uncalled for. But good news is it will be forgotten. Chase's comments will not be in any highlight reel.— mijou6
- OK, back to f---ing baseball... USAToday has been tracking post-season performance in terms of being 'clutch'. The final rankings (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/playoffs/2008-mroctober.htm) for 'Mr. October give the title to Cole Hamels, no surprise there. He just beat out BJ Upton, based on Upton's hitting into a double play late in Game 5. Brad Lidge was fairly close behind in the rankings. The rest of the Phils ranked in this order: Utley, Werth, Victorino, Blanton, Romero, and Howard.— bobby
- Surely you people are joking. Your children watch torrid scenes of sex every day from all sorts of sources on the TV, Mile Cyrus looks & acts like a 21 yr old hottie and is idolized, and I'm sure those little ears have heard a few choice words out of your own mouths a time or two. So come on! While Chase could have waited for a less public stage to proclaim what we all felt he did express the joy of the moment we all have been waiting for a long long time.— Wally 24
- If Utley had said the same thing a couple of weeks from the Series during a tv interview -- it would be one thing (not in the passion of the moment, etc.). But he said it after a draining month, an exciting parade with wild fan enthusiasm, and WINNING THE SERIES. None of the players (even the ones whose kids were in attendance) seemed the least bit upset. They roared. And as others have posted, kids will get over it (especially if their parents explain it in the right way). Tug something I thought was even cruder during the 1980 celebration (shoving it, etc.) -- but I wasn't upset then either.— expert1946
- its the f-word. he didnt say it in a hurtful, mean, ignorant way. get over it. its an emotional time. we won the WORLD SERIES!!!!— corron
- I think it was absolutely planned that he would say it. In this society anything goes. Nothing is sacred. I don't hate him for it as I've certainly used the word myself. I do think it was immature and something he will regret. Sure my kids have heard the word before but watching my daughter's face and the little boy from next door, I think they were kind of shocked to hear it from him. Not the fact that he used the word but the fact that he picked the podium in front of all to use it. Someone once told me that a person uses profanity for lack of a better word in their vocabulary. Ignorant comment.— abcpoli
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- I would have to think it was a reference to his all-star game statement. He could have said World fornicating Champions.— Conthenet
- Well, abcpoli, be prepared to be lambasted for your opinion. Chase Utley can drop the f-bomb on center stage in front of an audience of millions, and he will be lauded, even defended for it. But any of us who dare to express our disappointment on this blog, which is read by a hundred or so adults, are attacked and told to "get over it." Guess what? We're over it. As abcpoli said, we don't hate Chaase Utley for it. But for some reason, an alternate opinion is not allowed. Maybe that's the shame of this whole incident. It has us arguing about a stupid 2-second comment instead of talking about the Phillies.— bobby
- Places like Russia and China are pretty strict with these type of things.. If you are offended you can move there and I'm sure your child will grow up in a better place. Go communism!— johnnysanz3
- http://www.cafepress.com/eighthandbutler Hahaha they already are selling t-shirts!— Chewy59
- Deb in Dixie. Chances are you have a tattoo on your back. Your used to hearing that word when you can't see him while your f,,,,,,,. That was a disgrace and another black eye for PHILADELPHIA. What do you mean by-this is baseball. It wasn't on the field of battle but a family and fan parade. I'm sure you don't have kids and if you do, I feel sorry for them as they probably hear it all the time. Get a life.— ronjb944
- So let me get this straight... If you are offended, get out of the country? That's freedom? Huh.— bobby
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- To everyone that is outraged, offended, surprised, etc...about what Chase said yesterday, I have just one little piece of advice: SHAME ON YOU for not telling your kids to ignore what they may SEE or HEAR on the day of the parade for it has been 28 Years since the Phillies have celebrated! People were pumped up, excited and euphoric. One day, one speech doesn't make a person or define a person. People that are offended, GET OVER IT! To Chase and the rest of the Fightin' Phils, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. We will never forget this day!— TheFirstStateVinman
- Back to the parade--I thought Burrell and Myers also gave heartfelt statements. Deb in Dixie: I lived in the South for 5 years long ago. I take it you are a transplant from Philadelphia, and I have also concluded that you've been there for a while, because you've learned to spell "ya'll". ;-)— Lako
- Nobody can tell me that wasn't thought of before he got up to speak.These pro.athletes (unless it's right after a game)are very careful what they say in order to be politically correct.Is it any wonder you can't walk down the street or in a mall with small children and have to explain to them why other children have no respect for anyone else.I know words don't hurt anyone but it's just a small part of not respecting the people around you.I love Utley as a player but he totally lost my respect(and other people's I'll bet)as a person.— joseph bonsted
- If a AA player had went so far, MOST of the city would be demanding a TRADE.... TODAY!! Typical Double Standards.— roninphilly
- c'mon. it's a word. yes, it's used for shock value. i don't know about you, but i hear it a lot. and yesterday on the parade route, your darling, innocent children were dropping the 'f bomb' quite a bit. as for chase, i hope this is forgotten and what's remembered is a glorious season that cumlimated in a spectactular phillies love-fest. im more saddened by the lack of baseball for the next 4 months and the chance that pat will not be back. :(— deb2
- If it was during an official league event you could text stadium security and have him thrown out. The leagues and teams work hard to keep a family atmosphere and then a knuckleheaded player along with enabling fans and sportswriters mocks what ultimately pays his salary. Real classy!— jtj06
- Todd, I'm BEGGING you... Please start a new thread and let's bury this issue, never to be mentioned again.— bobby
- There was a great picture in the Inquirer today, of the team's reaction to Chase's *remark*. Myers and Moyer seemed to be laughing the hardest. And they had their kids right on the field with them. They also interviewed several parents in the stands, who had their kids with them. They were fine with it. Just as Deb suggested, they explained to their kids that Chase was excited and they are NOT allowed to say that word. And for the small percentage of fans Chase might have lost, he gained a million more!— Norma
- bobby......I was just going to suggest the same thing! You and I always seem to be on the same page. LOL!— Norma
- Yeah, I'm for a new topic... Maybe Todd could write something about Jimmy Rollins' comments, which were much more interesting. A little Met-bashing is in order, no?— NJLouis66
- I think people should focus more on all the damage that was done Wednesday night after the game, than on something Chase said. I had a major problem with all the idiots destroying property throughout the city. Chase was just showing emotion. My favorite part was the fan reaction... the first time he said "World Champions", there was a good reaction... the second time, with the f-bomb, the crowd went nuts... I just cracked up... y'know why? THIS IS PHILLY!!! True fans of a GREAT sport!!! GO PHILLIES!!! And THANK YOU FOR AN INCREDIBLE SEASON!!! Let's REPEAT next year!!!— chazjr
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- OMGTHINKOFTHECHILDRENZZ! Idiots.— Romes
- davegas.....I heard that, too. From my nephew in Baltimore. I'm not sure where he heard it, but it must not be just a Philly rumor. Too, bad. Hope they keep negotiating.— Norma
- Pat's only 31 or 32 years old. I've gotta think someone will offer more than 2 years. But 22M is pretty good money... Hard to believe he turned down 11M/yr when Howard only got 10M in arbitration.— NJLouis66
- To ronjb944: Nope, no tattoos on my back or on anywhere else. BTW, you comment was just as classy as you think Chase's was! You win the irony contest!! And to Lako: yup, a transplant from south NJ now living in Atlanta!! You live down here more than 6 months you pick up using ya'll. :) As for Pat the Bat, as much as I like him, let's be honest, the dude isn't that fast and has had plenty of medical issues. I don't think we should pay more than 12-13 a year for him and if that means he leaves, so be it. Of course it all depends on what is available out on the market too.— Deb in Dixie
- Did anyone else see those three policewomen in the middle of the infield after the Phillies won the last game getting autographs???? Talk about unprofessional behavior and taking advantage of their position...What a joke...— Bobphxville
- "I would have dropped an F-bomb, too, but I didn't feel like it was appropriate, because my kids were in the stands," pitcher Brett Myers said with a laugh. End of discussion, move along, nothing to see here.— jimmymack
- Funny No not by a long shot but Human Yes very much so it just proves Chase Utley is as human as the rest of us. Does he realize that his choice of words were inappropriate yes i'm sure he does now how many of us can say in our zest have not said the wrong thing or something we wish we could take back. All this proves is Chase Utley is human and prone to Human behavior and for that i say Chase Thank you you prove a point i have tried to make to my Grand-Children that most of the prima donnas in the sports world are nothing more than that Prima Donnas and not worth respect let alone your worship. All the Phillies are in my OHOP! worth cheering on and looking up to! Just my Humble opinion and i hope yours as well! Because i'd rather have a real human Hero to look up to than a Prima Donna that only cares about his pocketbook alone.— grayfrier
- NJLouis.....I agree 11 mil is plenty of money! But...Pat was the highest paid player on the team this year. I think something around 15 mil. Maybe he thought 4 mil was a little too much of a pay cut. You also have to wonder how much influence his agent has. Stupid sports agents! LOL!— Norma
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- Only 30days ago Jmac was starting a revolution to rid Philadelphia of the current ownership, complaining that he paid 8grand for season tickets. You verbally attacked them, they sickened you. They call that character assasination. Now a player gets caught up in the frenzy of a World Series celebration. Chase is a bad boy he sad a boo-boo word. Gimme a break. CLEAN YOUR SIDE OF THE STREET.. Chase is a Rock Star.....If your granchildren are gonna be baseball fans. Don't let them watch it on TV. The F--- word is constantly used. Watch a pitcher after a homerun. Or hitter after the strike out..Put the kiddies to bed. Lets play ball !— pat h
- WORLD CHAMPS!!!!!!!!!!!!— Clinton, NJ
- Calm down people. It is one word. World Chamions...World F*cking Champions will be remembered forever.— WorldF*ckingChampions
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- I can understand how some people were upset by the comment, but I loved it. He said what many people have been thinking since Wednesday night. Great speeches by all, but the one I'll remember clearly 28 years from now is Chase's.— B Dawg 82
- davegas....Here's some possibilities (from today's Inquirer)....Manny (Please! No!), Matt Holliday, Magglio Ordenez, Milton Bradley, Juan Rivera, Mike Cameron, and Rocco Baldelli. I'd love to see Holliday here. Not sure what his #'s were this year, but he's had a big bat in the past. And he kind of seems like a *fit*. Apparently, the Phillies have always liked Baldelli. And since he would require days off, because of a medical condition, they think he could platoon with Jenkins and Stairs. Wonder what kind of reception he'd get from the fans, though? Beeing a "Ray". LOL! And I'd really like to see what Stairs can do for us in the field. He sure helped off the bench last year!— Norma
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