The700Level.com - Philly Sports & Minutiae

Just Another Potent Philadelphia Offense...

Speaking of great home run feats, the Phillies joined an exclusive club last night, becoming just the second team to ever have four players hit 20 or more homers before the All-Star Break. Toronto was the other in 2000, but 2009>2000 in terms of power stats, so eat it, Blue Birds. Last night, Chase Utley and Jayson Werth each hit their 20th, with Utley's being of the stand-up, inside-the-park variety. They joined Raul Ibanez (22) and Ryan Howard (21) in the 20+ club. 

Just a few years removed from being a scrap heap player in a few organizations, Werth is becoming a bona fide MLB star, dare I say a potential All-Star? Shane Victorino's ascendence yesterday coupled with Charlie Manuel using a manager's selection on Ryan Howard could keep Werth at home next week, but that's not to say he isn't deserving—particularly lately. Werth's homer last night was his seventh in the past 12 games, and he has now gone yard in four straight. With the Phillies' HR leader on the DL for much of the past month, Werth has really stepped to make up for lost offense. And now we get Raul back too?

Full Moon Fever in the Illadelph: Phils Scorch Reds, 22-1

OK so technically the full moon is tomorrow night. Looks full enough to me, and it brought the beasts out of the Phillies bats. After a 10-run first inning, the Phils went on to dismantle the Reds 22 to freaking 1. Cincinnati starter Johnny Cueto was dismissed before even escaping the first, and then the Phils just picked away at the Reds bullpen, which is particularly great considering that this was the first of four games the teams will play this week and Dusty Baker had to wear out a few relievers on the first night. 

On the Bright Side: Losing Builds Character

John Finger has a nice article today focusing on Chase Utley's actions, or lack there of when the laptops disappeared, following last night's tough loss to the Braves.

“Times like this can build character for a team,” he said a good 45-minutes later as he dressed for the trip home. “That’s the way I look at it.”

If anyone knew how to solve the losing ways and malaise engulfing the baseball team it was Utley. Chances are he wasn’t merely sitting there like David Puddy from that Seinfeld episode where Elaine Benes’ boyfriend wiled away the time on a flight simply staring out into the middle distance.

The Phillies must have some of the best character in all of baseball after their incredible 4-14 stretch in their last 18 games.

Phillies Support 2nd Annual Utley All-Star Animals Casino Night

I was walking down 3rd Street yesterday and noticed a CSN camera crew set up outside of F.U.E.L. at Arch Street. Then I did a double take and realized the Phillies fearless leader was outside finishing up an interview. Once he was finished in front of the camera, he invited me in to his party, the 2nd Annual Utley All-Star Animals Casino Night to benefit the Philadelphia Chapter of the SPCA. Did I say he invited me in? I meant I just kept walking down the street.

PhillyChitChat.com was there to capture images from the night and the logo they used for the event is, for lack of a better word, adorable. Jayson Werth's stylistic choices? Not so much.

Thou Shalt Not Steal From Jen Utley

The Philadelphia Inquirer's Dan Gross reports of the surprising tale of the Utley's needing to sue a moving company for lost property. Gross writes that Jen Utley "has filed suit against Sanford Alderfer Transport, Inc. of Hatfield, PA seeking $13,000 to replace 'various personal items,' allegedly lost by the company while Jen,  Pennsylvania SPCA board vice president, and her World F---ing Champion Chase moved from one Center City condo to another last year."

You Can Do It, Put Your Back Into It: Utley Breaks Team Record for Hit By Pitches

Amidst all the disappointment and failure to hit the ball good in yesterday's dispiriting extra-inning loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, an important--nay, historic--positive somehow got lost in the shuffle. With his beaning in the bottom of the tenth inning in last night's game at the hands of Ramon Troncoso, Chase Utley amassed his 89th all-time Hit By Pitch, shattering the team's previous HBP record of 88, held by 13-year catcher Mike Lieberthal. According to HBP-tracking blog Plunk Everyone (proving once and for all that no subject remains on this planet without at least one blog devoted to it), it took Lieberthal 1174 games to reach what Utley has accomplished in a mere 766 outings. Chase is now in a sixth-way tie for 98th place on the all-time baseball hit list, although he remains well short of all-time leader Craig Biggio's positively Ruthian tally of 285. (If you're feeling nostalgic, PE has also done us the favor of listing the game, pitcher, and even the inning of each instance of Utley taking one for the team).

"This has been a goal of mine for a long time, and I feel that I've worked hard at it," Utley did not actually say in the post-game conference. "Do I have a couple bruises, welts and blisters to show for it? Sure. But the scars are just the cost of doing battle."

Cole Scares Us As Chase Powers Phils to Win

The Cole Hamels we know and love came out dealing this evening on a warm night at the ball park. Unfortunately the hated voodoo artist that is John Lannan laid down a bunt that caused the entire Delaware Valley to hold their breath as Cole Hamels went down in pain. He turned his ankle pretty good but early reports indicate it's not too serious.

Chase Utley went yard twice and Raul Ibanez continued his red hotness with a blast of his own. Chad Durbin came in and did a bang up job filling in for Hamels.

By all accounts it seemed like a great night in South Philly. Thanks to Miss Bee for the great shot of the Charlie party. Everyone else who failed to send in their pictures of Charlie bobbleheads at the stadium gets a time out. [Video of Cole's injury below]

Yardwork! Phils-Nats Combine for Seven Homers, Phils Make 'Em Count With Two Slams

Bombs away... The Phils found themselves in a big hole early, thanks to Joe Blanton throwing BP to the Nati'nals for a few innings. He gave up 6 ER in 4.1, including three homers, eight hits, and three walks. It's not looking like the Phillies are going to shake that lead in dingers allowed anytime soon. Scott Eyre also gave up a pair, and none of the five total Nats long balls were anything short of remarkable. Upper decks, high off the ivy in center, deep to Ashburn Alley... There was something in the hot air tonight.

That's a Little More Like It, Phils

Ended up at a homebrewer's tasting party last night, sampling some really outstanding beers out of a bottomless glass. It wasn't really a sports crowd, so I was worried the 60-inch TV wouldn't have the Phillies on it. Fortunately, the game somehow found its way on (hey don't look at me), and I planted myself right there for the best game of the season so far. As Jody Mac would say, that might a little of the "tallest midget in the circus" rationalization, with the Phillies playing some pretty shitty ball thus far aside from the bottom of the seventh in game three of the Atlanta series.

But not last night. Other than Brett Myers giving up three long balls (and he's already on his way to leading the league in that lovely category), the Phils played pretty well, scoring eight runs, seven of which came with two outs. This is not a team that gives up or folds, and they may finally be ready to regain the swagger that won them a World Championship last season.

Good News at 2B and 3B

David Murphy with a health status update from Clearwater:

... with just over 2 weeks remaining before the start of the season and decision time drawing near, we can make some reliable educated guesses about the makeup of the Phillies' 2009 Opening Day roster.

Pedro Feliz (back) and Chase Utley (hip) will both be ready. The only thing that will keep either player from playing is a significant setback. That's not to say that both will be at the peak of their game. But, provided they continue to progress at their current rate, neither will start the year on the disabled list.

Just what we wanted to hear. Bang it over to the DN for the downside of what a healthy lineup means for the Phillies' bench players.

Quotable: Chase's Hip Responds Well in Minor League Spring Action

Comcast's John Finger is in Florida for a few weeks to keep tabs on the Phils, and today he reports that Chase Utley got some game action in. Playing both sides of a minor league game, Chase got four ABs and four innings of defense in, going 2-4 with a ground-rule double and two Ks. When asked about his progress in recovering from hip surgery, Chase responded favorably.

“Everything is going very well, knock on hip,” Utley said. “There have been no setbacks."

Finger also has some updates on Brad Lidge and Pedro Feliz, both of whom seem to being doing well.

Jennifer Utley: On To The Dogs

We read the Philadelphia Inquirer's "Social Circuit" so you don't have to:

More than 400 guests and 100 dogs attended the Pennsylvania SPCA's third annual Good Dog Gala held Feb. 21 at the Loews Philadelphia. Among the honorees were Jennifer Utley, Barbara Paul, All Things Pawssible, and Yaron Properties. The event, featuring a live auction by WMGK's John DeBella, raised more than $138,000.

Sounds Of Spring: Chase Utley Interview

Angelo and Rhea were down in Clearwater this morning when Chase Utley made what seemed like a surprise appearance. After Cataldi finishes spewing random nothings, Utley gets into some talk regarding his hip. "It does feel really good. I've spent a lot of time this off season trying to get it better. I've been working extremely hard. It's coming along well. I have no complaints at this point. Obviously I want to be on the field right now but I understand that's not the best thing to do. We're working towards that."

James Rollins, Amateur Photographer

Jimmy Rollins is a man of many tools and talents. Speed, pop, power, defense... and photography. CSNPhilly posted a few of the photos J-Roll has taken down at spring training of teammates on the field, working out, eating (guess who), and just hanging around in the club house. Here are a few, and the rest can be found here and here.

You Know My Hips Don't Lie

Here we have Chase Utley taking some grounders down in Clearwater on Tuesday as captured by flickr user colleen0313. If you're heading to spring training down in Florida don't forget to add your shots to The700Level's flickr group.
More photos including a treat that would have made any lady's Valentine's day a bit more delicious.