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Mr. November (Utley) more chill than Mr. October
By Jeff Passan
November 3, 2009
PHILADELPHIA — The two men can’t be any more different. In 1977, Reggie Jackson waltzed around New York wearing coats made of otter and nutria skin. Today, Chase Utley publicly decries animal abuse. Jackson alienated teammates by opening his mouth. It takes a vise to pry Utley’s jaw apart and exude a word. On the evening he became a World Series hero, Jackson told the world: “Love me or hate me, but you can’t ignore me.”
Given a choice of the three on his night of brilliance, Utley would prefer the final option. Though it took 32 years, Jackson’s bombast as he led the New York Yankees to a World Series title found its Newtonian opposite in Utley. The Philadelphia Phillies’ second baseman treated his two home runs more like ho-hums, even as they helped send the World Series back to New York for a Game 6 following the Phillies’ 8-6 victory Monday over the Yankees.
Such behavior from Utley comes as no surprise. The only thing about him that isn’t dry is the L.A. Looks gel with which he slicks his hair into a coif better suited for “Grease,” which premiered a year after the World Series that witnessed Jackson hit five home runs. That number stood alone until Utley’s second in Game 5 tied the record and reminded the Yankees not to start their ring-fitting appointments quite yet.
Both home runs were vintage Utley: the swing of a machete wielder, short and slicing, followed by a home run gallop – he wouldn’t trot, and he dare not jog – and an expression that would boil water faster than an induction countertop. Zero pretense exists in Utley’s world. He arrives to play baseball. Everything outside of that tunnel is clatter from which he blocks his cochleae.
“Anything that doesn’t involve getting better is like background noise to him,” Phillies reliever Chad Durbin said. “It’s like, ‘Oh, I have to eat. Crap. I’m not going to get that extra five minutes of video because I’m going to have to throw this peanut butter and jelly down.’ ”
Rarely does Utley concern himself with the antics of his teammates, like Monday’s decision to switch up the clubhouse music or spend batting practice goofing around. Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, sensing the Phillies understood the win-or-go-home imperative, didn’t bother with a pregame speech. Utley and Co. needed no motivation.
The first pitch he saw, a 94-mph fastball from A.J. Burnett that tailed over the heart of the plate, landed a few seconds later in the right-field bleachers. Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino scored ahead of him, and it started a trend that continued through his last at-bat. The Yankees pitched Utley like he was what he looks like – a run-of-the-mill guy, 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds – and not what he is: the game’s most fearsome second baseman, and the most valuable player, lowercase, on a team that has two with the uppercase award.
In Utley’s four plate appearances, he saw 16 pitches. Not one crossed the inner half of the plate. It’s one thing to pitch Utley carefully. It’s another not to back him off the plate, especially knowing his tendency to lean in and his major league-leading hit-by-pitch total for three straight years. And it’s problematic for the Yankees to watch Phillies pitchers hit Alex Rodriguez three times in the Series and not have a single pitch come within a foot of Utley.
On the final pitch he saw, Utley took a fastball Phil Coke grooved across the plate and launched it again into right field, a no-doubt shot reminiscent of his second in Game 1 against CC Sabathia. Utley’s solo homer off Sabathia in Game 4 makes the total five, more than Babe Ruth hit in any World Series, more than Barry Bonds bombed when he was juiced out of his mind, more than anyone except Reggie, whose record he can break in Game 6 on Wednesday.
“He’s just Superman,” Rollins said. “He really is. Flying high right now.”
The departure from early October is stark. Utley looked hurt, lost, desperate. He sloughed off a hip injury last year to help the Phillies win the World Series. His foot bothered him this year, and his struggles at the plate and in the field – remember Utley’s sudden case of Saxitis, followed by his affliction with the Knoblauchs? – demanded some sort of a reason.
Because it was unnatural to see Utley play so poorly. Since the Phillies gave him full-time at-bats as a 26-year-old in 2005, no second baseman has approached his success. He’s best among them in games played (754), on-base percentage (.388), slugging percentage (.535), home runs (146), RBIs (507) and runs scored (553). He hasn’t won a Gold Glove. He should’ve. He does everything – watch video, take batting practice, field ground balls – with a purpose that manifests itself now, when the Phillies need him most.
“My favorite part is playing the game,” Utley said. “But [attention] obviously comes with the territory. You kind of learn how to deal with it as you grow. I’m getting a little bit more used to it. But I’d rather just go out and play, yeah.”
Sorry. Not an option. Greatness demands notice. As much as Utley tries to avoid it, it will chase him twice as hard. Blasé declarations beg for more information. Who is he? What motivates him? How did he evolve from overshadowed at every level into peerless at the highest? For now, it’s a secret, though even Utley must admit there is intrigue to someone who ties a postseason record of the most ballyhooed postseason hitter baseball knows.
“It would mean a lot to me,” said Phillies outfielder Jayson Werth, whose stepfather, Dennis, played for the Yankees from 1979-81. Around Werth’s house were pictures of Jackson. He was a demigod – and if you asked Jackson in those days, he’d likely chop off the demi and leave the rest to suffice.
Never will Utley affect such a persona. When he grins, it’s news – “I’ve actually seen him smile a little bit more than usual,” Phillies pitcher J.A. Happ said – and beyond that, the Phillies expect little emotion. Just for Utley to perform and pick them up when, say, Ryan Howard strikes out for a World Series-record tying 12th time – and it barely registers.
“Sometimes I don’t even like to talk about him because he don’t want me to,” Manuel said. “Actually he don’t like for you to say a whole lot of things about him. … I don’t want to embarrass him or nothing like that.”
Manuel loves Utley, and it’s just one more way that he differs from Jackson. Billy Martin wanted to kill Jackson. Martin benched him during the postseason. Manuel would not dare do that to Utley, not when he brings such professionalism and fire and single-mindedness.
And, of course, home runs. Five of ‘em. Enough to keep the Phillies alive for one more game.
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Phillies contend Myers and Hamels were joking
By Tim Brown
November 3, 2009
NEW YORK — A brief and seemingly testy exchange between Philadelphia Phillies pitchers Cole Hamels and Brett Myers after Game 5 of the World Series was jocular in nature and not representative of a clubhouse feud, a team official contended Tuesday afternoon.
Contrary to a witness account late Monday, Phillies public relations director Greg Casterioto said Myers was joking when he said to Hamels, “What are you doing here? I thought you quit.”
Hamels responded with an expletive.
Myers’ observation was believed to reference Hamels’ remarks following Game 3, when he told reporters, “I can’t wait for [the season] to end. It’s been mentally draining. At year end, you just can’t wait for a fresh start.”
Myers and Hamels have denied a rift and contend the incident was light-hearted.
“Everything that was written was correct except for the interpretation,” Casterioto said.
“It wasn’t a confrontation by any stretch of the imagination.”
Casterioto said he then pulled Hamels away from Myers because he had a meeting with manager Charlie Manuel, not because he believed the situation would escalate.
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Yankees Fans: Clinching In The Bronx A Given
Game 5 Loss Aside, Bronx Ready To Erupt All Over The Phillies When Game 6 Rolls Around On Wednesday
By Pablo Guzman
November 3, 2009
Most Yankees fans were hoping when the Bombers came back to the Bronx they'd be carrying the World Series trophy.
But for some fans, it's not all that bad.
Well, they lost Monday night, but for some fans, there's a silver lining: it means they have a chance to see them clinch at home – in the Bronx.
"Yeah, I'm kind of happy that we'll get to see them celebrate at home. Because I'm very confident that they will win, here," said fan Gio De La Rose of the South Bronx.
"This is the way it's supposed to happen. Last time I was at the World Series, I watched the Marlins celebrate on our field, as did my daughter and she'll never forget it. I want her to have a positive memory," added Alan Gass of Manhattan.
"They come back all the time. Look at last night: they were behind so much. And at the end, they came up with four runs," said Hilda Collazo of the South Bronx.
So Hilda, a senior citizen, thinks there will be partying in the Bronx, as does Nellie Moya, who is far away from the day when someone calls her "a senior citizen." These folks, who have taken to the mattresses as they said in "The Godfather," were camping out for a second day and hoping on the third day – Wednesday – they'd get tickets. They, too, believe they will see celebrating, as does Orlando Ventura of the Mt. Eden section of the Bronx.
"Oh, I think they'll do good tomorrow, and I think they really want to pull it off at home," Ventura said.
But then there was the issue of the Mets cap Ventura was wearing.
"I'm a Mets fan, but I like the Yankees, too," he said. "I'm a Mets fan, but I like the Yankees."
CBS 2 HD chose not to go there because we would've needed a psychologist's help.
Local businesses stand to benefit as well from a Yankees championship.
"I think it'll be good for us in the Bronx. I mean, we can use the money," German Pizarro said.
Danny Powers of Riverdale was betting he'll see a Yankee victory fiesta at Yankee Stadium.
"I think they'll lose tomorrow and they'll win Game 7," Powers said, later admitting he was hoping for that scenario because he has tickets.
So, of course, fans would like to see them celebrate on their own field. But real fans would've liked them to put it away Monday because they didn't want to give the Phillies a second chance.
"Oh, the Yankees are gonna win," former Gov. Eliot Spitzer said. "I think they'll come back and win tomorrow night. Been a good Series, I have to say. The games have been fun to watch. A lot of comebacks."
Ah, hope springs eternal, captured in all the folks wearing their Yankees colors as if to bring down the powers of benevolent spirits.
"I think it's better if they win at home. It's better for the fans; it's better for George (Steinbrenner); it's better for New York," said Kevin Burke of Pelham.
There's nothing like watching your guys clinch on your turf. Then again, the opposite … that can hurt. Grab that lucky charm, folks.
The last time the Yankees clinched the World Series at home was in 1999 when they finished off a sweep of Atlanta.
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Phillies Earn Their Way Back To The Bronx
Lee Not As Good As Game 1, But Good Enough As Utley & Co. Bludgeon Burnett, Yankees' Bullpen In 8-6 Game 5 Win
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
November 3, 2009
PHILADELPHIA — Put those parade plans on hold, New York. The Phillies are coming back.
Desperate to hang onto their World Series title and hounded by the Yankees to the very last swing, Philadelphia somehow held on for an 8-6 win Monday night in Game 5.
Chase Utley hit two home runs to raise his Series total to a record-tying five, Cliff Lee won again and Philadelphia cut its deficit to 3-2.
Ahead 8-2, the Phillies watched New York score three times in the eighth inning and put its first two batters on in the ninth. Derek Jeter grounded into a run-scoring double play, but the fans on their feet couldn't exhale until Mark Teixeira struck out as the tying run.
Whew!
Game 6 will be played Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium, with New York's Andy Pettite going on short rest against Pedro Martinez. The Series hasn't gone this far since 2003.
"We had to do it," Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins said. "We didn't have a choice. It was either go home and watch football and college basketball or extend the season."
Utley hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in the first inning off A.J. Burnett and added a solo shot in the seventh to join Reggie Jackson as the only players to hit five home runs in a single World Series.
"It's pretty cool," Utley said. "It's pretty surreal. I'm glad we got the win tonight. We're going back to Yankee Stadium."
Philadelphia replicated its winning formula from the opener, when Utley hit two solo homers and Lee pitched a six-hitter. Raul Ibanez set off fireworks from the Liberty Bell one last time, adding a second solo shot in the seventh off Phil Coke that made it 8-2.
Lee gave up a run-scoring single to Alex Rodriguez in the first inning but settled in until A-Rod chased him with a two-run double in the eighth. Robinson Cano drove in Rodriguez with a sacrifice fly that cut the deficit to 8-5, and New York gave Philadelphia a scare when Jorge Posada doubled and Hideki Matsui singled at the start of the ninth against Ryan Madson.
Jeter hit into the double play, Johnny Damon singled and Madson struck out the slumping Teixeira for the save.
"We have a lot of heart on this team," Utley said.
The Yankees, who have won the Series all eight previous times they took a 3-1 lead, will try to close out title No. 27 on Wednesday night at home.
"If we would have pitched today, we probably would have won," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "That's the bottom line."
Pitching on short rest didn't work well for Burnett, who had been 4-0 previously in his career on three days' off and kept the Phillies off balance in Game 2. He kept falling behind batters and allowed six runs, four hits and four walks in two-plus innings, his shortest start since his first outing in 2007.
It marked the first time in 14 postseason games this year that a Yankees starter failed to pitch at least six innings.
In a matchup of starters from Arkansas, Lee allowed five runs and seven hits in seven-plus innings. He is 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA in five postseason starts.
Philadelphia ended baseball's record streak of five straight Series that ended in sweeps or five games, ensuring at least one more telecast in a matchup between big-market teams that has revived baseball's ratings. The Phillies still face a tall task: The Yankees lost three in a row just twice after the All-Star break and dropped consecutive home games only once after mid-June.
Just six of 43 teams facing 3-1 Series deficits have gone on to win the title, including five in a row since Kansas City rallied past St. Louis in 1985.
But Pettitte and CC Sabathia, the Yankees' Game 7 starter, will be pitching on short rest -- Pettitte for the first time this year and Sabathia for the third time in the postseason.
If the Phillies come back to become the first NL team to win consecutive Series titles since the 1975-76 Cincinnati Reds, Yankees manager Joe Girardi will be widely second-guessed for his pitching decisions. No Series champion has gone the entire postseason with just three starters since the 1991 Minnesota Twins -- when there were just two rounds of playoffs.
New York, trying for its first title since 2000, still has strong memories from 2001, when the Yankees led Arizona three games to two before losing the final two games on the road. In 2003, the Yankees led Florida two games to one before losing three in a row.
New York will be without center fielder Melky Cabrera for the rest of the Series. Cabrera strained his left hamstring in Game 4 and was replaced on the roster by backup infielder Ramiro Pena as Brett Gardner took over in center field.
Gardner went 0 for 4, and Teixeira dropped to .105 (2 for 19) in the Series with a 1-for-5 night.
Philadelphia received a scare when center fielder Shane Victorino was hit with a pitch while squaring to bunt in the first inning. X-rays were negative but the finger swelled and he left after seven innings.
While the Phillies have outhomered the Yankees 10-5 in the Series, Ryan Howard is suffering a power outage. He went 0 for 2 with two walks and two strikeouts and is hitting .158 (3 for 19) with 12 strikeouts, tying the Series record set by Kansas City's Willie Wilson in 1980.
New York scored in the first inning for the second straight game. Damon singled to left-center and came home when Rodriguez doubled into the right-field corner with two outs. It was his franchise record 16th RBI of the postseason.
It took just eight pitches for Burnett to give up the lead, giving Phillies fans reason to wave those white rally towels.
Rollins singled up the middle on the sixth pitch of his at-bat and, with Rollins running, Victorino squared and was hit in the hand by a pitch. Utley put the next pitch into the right-field seats.
"Chase, when he gets hot, definitely he can get hot and stay hot for a month or two," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said.
Burnett got in more trouble in the third, when he walked Utley and Ryan Howard, then gave up run-scoring singles to Jayson Werth and Raul Ibanez that put Philadelphia ahead 5-1 and finished Burnett's night. Carlos Ruiz added an RBI grounder against David Robertson.
New York made it 6-2 in the fifth, helped by a strange decision by Howard. Pinch-hitter Eric Hinske -- who homered for the Phillies in last year's Series -- walked with one out and took third on Jeter's single. Damon hit a slow roller in front of first and Howard gloved it as Hinske held, then retreated to the bag for the putout as Hinske scored.
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