It looks like the end of the line for the Chase Utley Era.
Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. certainly hinted at that in comments yesterday, stressing that he did not expect the longtime Phils' second baseman to regain his starting spot in the lineup when he comes off a stint on the 15-day disabled list.
Instead Amaro offered his endorsement to Cesar Hernandez, who has been red-hot since entering the lineup for the injured Utley, saying he's been playing as well as any second baseman in Major League Baseball since taking over the starting role.
Utley went on the disabled list two weeks ago with an ailing ankle that he had injured in the offseason and was apparently bothering him all season. The numbers showed it. Utley was having a miserable season, almost certainly the worst of his distinguished career with the Phils.
When he went on the DL, Utley was hitting a meek .179 in 249 at-bats.
Given the opportunity, Hernandez ran with it. He's been one of the Phils' best offensive weapons, hitting a sizzling .302 in 207 plate appearances. He's also riding a 15-game on-base streak. He also leads the team with 23 walks.
Utley is 36, and cemented his reputation as one of the most popular players in Phillies history. He has a World Series championship in his pocket, and is the author of one of the most famous quotes in Phillies history, when he dropped an F-Bomb in declaring the Phillies as champions at the 2008 celebration.
But he has now been in serious decline for more than a year. This is no longer a slump. Nor is it hitting into touch luck.
It looks like the end of the line.
From the sound of it, that's the way Ruben Amaro is looking at it as well.
Comments