Photos: 2008 Phillies
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But, hey, they asked.
"I pondered it a little bit," Utley said. "I think it's going to be something fun. I think it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, especially being the last year for Yankee Stadium. I don't really consider myself a home-run hitter, but it's one day. It's basically one round of batting practice.
"You adjust it a little bit. I don't think it'll affect my swing."
Phillies catching instructor Mick Billmeyer will be throwing to Utley.
Utley is a huge proponent of studying film of his at-bats and opposing pitchers before, during and after games.
So, is it totally crazy to think that he will try to scrounge together some film of Billmeyer throwing BP?
"I have studied his tendencies," Utley said jokingly. "He mainly throws fastballs."
Utley leads the majors with 24 home runs, but he never pictured himself in a home-run derby, although he appeared in one in the Florida State League in 2001.
He said no one homered in the first round, and the league decided to advance its top two home-run hitters at the time.
Utley hopes for better results this time.
"He doesn't want a bagel," Billmeyer joked. "He's competitive. He'll try to win it."
Fans can continue to vote at mlb.com until 5 p.m. Thursday. They also can text the word "VOTE" to 36197 to have the candidates sent to their phone. To vote for a specific player, simply reply with your choice.
He said he's OK with it.
"I'll clear my mind and come back refreshed after the break," Howard said. "And then tackle everything that comes along in the second half."
Swindle made his big-league debut in the sixth. In three innings, he allowed four hits, two runs and two walks. He allowed a leadoff homer to Wright in the sixth but settled and threw scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth. He also struck out three.
"I've got the jitters going, but I'm excited," Swindle said before the game. "I'm excited to get to show what I can do and be up here and help the ball club."
Gordon declined to comment yesterday, and a team official said he flew to Florida last night to begin his rehab program.
Jenkins entered last night hitting .073 (4 for 55) with five RBIs since June 6.
"We're trying to get Jenkins going, but right now Werth is playing pretty good," Manuel said. "Geoff is struggling. We're looking to get him going, but at the same time, when you're going bad, you've got to sit sometimes. I think sitting will help him."
It worked last night. Jenkins hit a pinch-hit, two-run homer in the eighth inning - his second pinch homer of the season.
"If we were hitting the ball, I don't think we'd even be talking about Ruiz today," Manuel said.
Read his blog at http://go.philly.com/phillieszone.
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