The Right Attitude

I can't speak as an insider, but if I had to venture a guess at the two most respected men on the Phillies roster right now I'd start with Roy Halladay and end with Chase Utley. Maybe Jonathan Papelbon is looking for someone boisterous and outspoken when it comes to leadership, but that's not what I'm looking for per se.

I'm looking for athletes like Chase Utley and Roy Halladay. Athletes that lead by example, not by shooting their mouth off to reporters when things aren't quite going their way. Halladay has long been notorious for his incredibly intense regimen, be it in spring training, between starts, or off season workouts. Roy Halladay is going to work harder than the next guy because it seems like he wants to win more than the next guy. For over a decade it has paid Hall of Fame like dividends.

I've been watching Chase Utley play (when he can) every summer for 8 years straight. You don't need to be as avid a fan as I am to understand that Chase is an intense guy. Watch the Phillies for a week straight and you'll know that Chase Utley is giving it everything he's got on the diamond. He doesn’t need to run out every ground ball to second base like he just laid down a drag bunt, but he does. He doesn’t need to focus on the opposing pitcher at all times to pick up any extra tidbit of information that may help him when he steps into the batter’s box, but he does. He doesn’t need to fly into second base with no regard for his body every time he has the chance to break up a double play, but he does. He goes the extra mile and that is what has endeared him to so many Phillies fans. This town loves a winner, but even more so they love somebody who plays every game like it’s their last. Why do you think Allen Iverson was so popular here for a decade? Utley gives it that extra effort at all times, and it does not go unappreciated by Philadelphians.

It is clear to me that these two have the right attitude when it comes to their approach to playing baseball. If a legal advantage exists, they are taking it. These two men have been able to lead by example their entire careers, and for most of Chase’s that has translated into playoff wins.

After injury plagued 2012 seasons, Chase Utley and Roy Halladay find themselves in the same boat for several reasons. They are both in the last year under contract for the Phillies. They both were not capable of competing at the level they are accustomed to last year. Halladay is a Hall of Famer and Utley is a perennial All-Star, so neither has much to prove to anyone. Except that you get the feeling with these two that they have plenty to prove to themselves and their teammates.

Both Utley and Halladay played approximately half the season last year, but it was clear the magic they used to possess had disappeared. Doc never seemed sharp when he took the mound. His control and velocity were not near what they once were and it showed. He constantly looked flustered on the mound and never went as deep into games as he used to. I’m not going as far as saying Utley looked like a shell of his former self, but he certainly did not have the pop in his bat that he showed in his prime. He seemed to be pulling off the ball and popping out to left field with far too much regularity. I got real tired of seeing the ball go straight up and Chase’s head go straight down as he took off for first base knowing that he just wasted another at bat.

Last year Halladay had a shoulder issue. For the last two years, Utley’s knees cooperated just a bit better than Andrew Bynum’s. For all intents and purposes they have been healthy and playing so far this spring. Even if they are healthy, Hallday will be 36 before the summer starts and Utley is 34. Except for that strange occurrence from about 1995-2005 most players' performance declines when they reach their mid-30s. It remains to be seen if Halladay and Utley have enough left in the tank to make the Phillies a playoff team once again, but one thing is for sure, it will not be for a lack of effort.


Spring Training Update –

Well, cross your fingers but the Big Piece is swingin’ a big stick early on ladies and gentlemen. Ryan Howard has been playing almost every spring training game and is currently batting .333. He is tied for the Spring lead with 4 home runs and is second with 12 RBI in 12 games. Two of the four home runs were off left handed pitching. If that sentence doesn’t bring a smile to your face you’re not a true Phillies fan.

The biggest and most pleasant surprise of Spring Training has been the play of Dom Brown. I keep reading articles and tweets from Phillies writers that say he has been great in the field and his numbers from the plate are outstanding. In 37 at bats he has socked three home runs and has splits of .423/.523/.730. He has all but locked up the spot as opening day right fielder.

Delmon Young is the possible platoon with Brown in right field but he has not done much to endear himself to his new fans so far this spring. Young, who has a similar build to Charles Barkley before the Weight Watchers, said he was none too anxious to get on to the field when asked if he was upset he was missing spring training. He said it was too cold. He’s currently recovering from ankle surgery and should be back by April.