Guess I was right about J Roll. At some point people in Philly will start to realize that Rollins is the best athelete in the city.

Couple of other things:
- 90% of inside-the-park homers involve some sort of fielding mistakes
- Fielder came in third in MVP voting. I wasn’t too far off on that one.
- Where was your natural leader during the playoffs? Manny Ramierez would never be called a natural leader but I will take him in the playoffs any day over Utley.
- Advancing the runner by hitting behind him with no outs is one of the most simple age old strategies in the game. everyone does it. nothing unique or clever about it.
- Every middle infielder on every mlb and minor league team positions themselves on the field based on the pitch being called, the count, and the scouting report on the hitter. every one. no innovation on utley’s part there.
- A Rod on juice = you on drugs. Get off the drugs.
- Just so you know I grew up in Boston and I am a PATs, Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics fan - not really relevant just thought that might make this commentary sting a little more.

Agreed, Bubba, I would rather have Chase on my team than any guy in the league. Maybe we’re biased, but why not be? Sure, A Rod puts up big time numbers, but with that comes a lot of off-field baggage, lots of strikeouts and some suspect fielding at times (Plus, am I the only one that thinks A-Rod has juiced? He was a skinny shortstop when he entered the league, now he’s jacked and on pace for 60 homers. I hope I’m wrong, but I thought we were done being naive). Utley goes to the ballpark every day and gives 110% to go along with the “There’s no ‘I’ in team” attitude. Take Sunday’s game against the Padres. There’s no outs, Victorino on 2nd. Utley has a 1-2 count. He gets a tough off-speed pitch, and, knowing he has the league’s leader in RBI’s (Howard) backing him up, throws his bat out and pulls the ball to the right side, advancing the runner. Howard comes up and hits a fly ball, Victorino tags and scores (credit Howard with the RBI). You think A-Rod isn’t worried about his numbers, Josh?

Why stop there, I’m bored. First game of the Nats series, Alfonseca comes in for the save. Man on 2nd, no outs. Sharp hit grounder, sure base hit, until Utley comes out of nowhere with a diving stab, makes the out, saves a run (and extra innings, possibly defeat). In my opinion one of the more underrated fielders in the game, what he lacks in sheer athletic ability he makes up for with his knowledge of the game, talking with his teammates, positioning himself, and playing hard. How many times have you seen Utley, glove over mouth, leading a discussion at the mound? The term “natural leader” comes to mind. These are the things that don’t show up in the box score.

J Roll’s inside the parker was amazing, but let’s not mistake it for what it was, a triple (maybe) with some minor-league fielding. Plus, I’m not sure what that has to do with being a “role model”, you can’t teach speed. I think that’s what Bubba was getting at when talking about how Chase plays.

Prince Fielder is having a nice year, but he is no Utley (or Howard, for that matter).

If you’ve made it this far, allow me to apologize for the novel, but ILoveBubbaDogs.com! What great way to spend my time in the cube.

p.s. when you are posting, be sure to fill in both “required fields”, I had to type this damn essay twice!

Thanks.

CPB

If you’re looking for a role model for your kid put the Jimmy Rollins inside-the-park home run from last night on a video loop and make your kid watch it every day for a month. That is how you should play the game.

Finally and most importantly, the reason I am commenting is that I am concerned that somehow you are able to impact the future with your ILOVEBUBBADOGS blog. You praise Chase one day and the next he is down for the count. I ask that you please use your satanic hotdog powers for good and not for evil.

And remember - as you ramble on through life, whatever may be your goal, always keep your eye upon the dog and not upon the roll!

cBN