It had all the makings of a moment of high sports drama.
Turns out it was just a routine fly ball.
Chase Utley, public enemy No. 1 in New York after his hard takeout slide broke the leg of Mets' shortstop Ruben Tejada in the NLDS, walked to the plate to lead off the top of the 9th inning with the Dodgers trailing the Mets.
It was the first time Utley had seen action since the controversial play. He did not appear in the games in New York.
Utley made that classic short, compact swing on the first pitch.
Go ahead, admit you thought it was going to be a game-tying home run.
Instead it proved to be a fairly routine fly ball to right field.
There would be no magic. Earlier in the game, another former Phillie, Jimmy Rollins, had hit a bullet that was snared by the first baseman.
It wasn't meant to be.
They will join another former Phil, Rangers' pitcher Cole Hamels, watching the World Series. Hamels certainly deserved better than the fate that befell him as three errors by the Rangers doomed them in their deciding Game 5 vs. the Blue Jays.
Hey, at least Ben Rivera and Ryan Madson are still alive. The former Phils' centerfielder is a crucial cog in the Toronto attack. Madson is enjoying a remarkable comeback season with the Kansas City Royals.
They will now face off in the ALCS.
At least one former Phil will be in the World Series.
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