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
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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Bring back Moyer and let him be the 5th starter. The Phab Phour can do their thing and he can chase 300 wins. That will make every game worth watching!— guru26- Chase really meant Plant, Page, Jones, Bonham— davi
- The Phils should bring back Moyer as the 5th starter. The Phab Phour can do their thing and Moyer can chase 300 wins. This way, every game will be worth watching!— guru26
- Of course the ' window ' is closing . . it closes on every team . . . the key for the Phils . . wil be to replace the aging vets like Ibanez , Lidge and maybe even Rollins . . with younger / cheaper / hopefully ' future stars ' . . that way with the expiring contracts . . they can afford to go out and add a big piece like Lee . . and continue this abit longer . . .— ingy9
- Bring back Carlton.— simplefreedom
- Simpleton . . . Carlton comes back every year . . it's called the allumni weekend . . .— ingy9
ROTATION NATION!— bboybeballin- On the seventh day, God said "Let there be light!!!"
Chase Utley said, "Say please...."— Steveo31 
They have got to hit the ball. If they do, they're going to win a lot of games. I'm confident, because I believe Howard and Utley have professional pride and must be embarrassed by their failure. The complete collapse of the offense is what cost them the last two years.— Hame of Famer- pressure is on to come up with a worthy name for these 4. History will judge the true greatness of the Philly fan in this our moment of truth.
R2C2 is not too bad....but i gotta believe there is something better. The fact that we have 4 aces begs for a poker term....but 4 aces isn't the best hand you can get anyway. A mashup of their names maybe? Professor HamLee Hallswalt? lol maybe not. The four horsemen? the four tops? four wheel drive? the armed forces? ---ok this is tough....but we have a job to do people....this is OUR time. - The Keys will be health for all the players. And Rollins, Utley, Howard starting to really concentrate on playing as if this is their prime year. For it might be and that window will close. Rollins to me is the next obvious one to be traded since Joe and Raul probably will not be. Thus perhaps in June if the Phils need some pieces......— Koons
- like to have known chase's feelings regarding our former rightfielder?— leecee
- like to have known chase's feelings regarding our former rightfielder?— leecee
- The way Utley and Rollins offense has nosedived since 2007, they need Lee just to keep in the championship picture.— jtj06
- @guru
Not only can Moyer not pitch until 2012 due to Tommy John, he stinks and isn't worth putting in this rotation. Blanton is younger and better for the same salary (though hopefully we can trade him too, though I'm guessing a large coffee and a Boston cream from Dunkin Donuts is all we're gonna get), and for what they are paid in comparison, Kendrick or Worley represent infinitely better options.— JPK512
