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[31 Jul 2008|12:56pm] |
Today is the last day in July, can you believe that? It feels like just yesterday I was packing up to head down to Spring Training with the sting of going oh-for in the sweep by the Rockies. That series was awful, and nothing like we had played the last two months or so of last season. I'm not going to lie, I took some solace in the fact that the BoSox beat them.
Speaking of BoSox, there's rumors that Manny himself may be joining us. I think it's highly unlikely though. Not with the way Pat's been hitting lately. Why trade someone you know is hitting, and fielding okay, even if he's slow on his feet, for someone who's not really hitting? I know Manny's put up the numbers in the past, and I'm not going to take that away from him. He's a hell of a baseball player. But if there's one think we learned when Ed Wade was here, it's if it ain't broke, Don't fix it.
Look at me going right into the baseball talk without even introducing myself. I'm Chase Cameron Utley (yes, I know it's like the sexiest name on the planet. ;) ) I grew up in Pasadena, California living with my mom and dad, and a sister who's 7 years (give or take a few months) younger than me. I still hold a few records at my high school, and after a stellar sophomore and junior year, got a full ride to UCLA. Once there, I played on their varsity team while I majored in Sociology. I only stayed there for two years though and then entered in the MLB draft.
After being drafted by the Phillies 15th over all in the 2000 entry draft I played in the Single A Summer League for the Batavia Muckdogs. In 2001 I played for the Full Season Single A Phillies farm team, the Clearwater Threshers. Then I skipped Double A and played for the Triple A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons. My very first at bat in the Majors, for the Phillies, ended in a Grand Slam. After that I really haven't looked back. This year was my third straight All Star appearance where I ran away with the votes for the National League second baseman. Winning by with around 90% of the votes, which set a Major League Baseball record.
You may know me from my little slip up that I had at Yankee Stadium during the Home Run Derby. They announced my name, and all the Yankee and Mets fans boo'd me. Now, the Mets fans I can understand, I am the new Met Killer, but Yankee fans, why do you have to hate? Anyway, after they announced my name, they boo'd and I forgot I was wearing an ESPN mic. As I walked out to the field I looked around and said "Boo? Fuck you." Which of course, was picked up by the mic on my jersey. I ended up with a pretty stiff fine, but I'm not going to lie. It was worth it.
So, back to a real entry now that you know some about me. As of last night, me and the rest of my team reclaimed the top stop in the NL East after beating the Nationals. I enjoy playing away games in Washington D.C. I admit, I'm a dork and everytime we're here and I have some free time I make a point to do all the historical and educational stuff. I like just wandering around the National Mall and the museums. That giant whale at the Smithsonian? That thing is full of awesome.
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