By: Sean O'Brien
Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley(notes) is in Florida testing his knee to see if it is healthy enough for the rigors of a baseball season. At 32, it is unlikely that his nagging health issues will magically disappear. Instead, he and everyone else will learn how effectively he can perform while being less than 100 percent.
A trim Thor
Utley's best asset is also his greatest challenge.
Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons
No one gives a more concerted effort than Utley. When he first stepped to the plate in 2003, it was easy to see that he was a trim Thor who would soon wield his hammer on any pitch thrown to him.
Not initially the best of glove men, Utley made himself into a major league second baseman. He did that by taking grounder after grounder, day after day, in practice.
You are the man
The Pasadena kid's style of play evokes memories of Pete Rose, Lenny Dykstra, Aaron Rowand(notes) and a few other hard-nosed Philadelphia ballplayers from days gone by.
When the dearly-missed Harry Kalas branded Utley as "The Man", he could not have been more emotionally accurate.
Along with Jimmy Rollins(notes), this All-Star brought a passion to the team that had been missing from the organization's on-field persona for years. Their work ethics, combined with an increasing number of like-minded teammates, naturally resulted in a Philadelphia parade one beautiful fall day in 2008.
Assets and challenges
Utley doesn't know when to quit. He has never been seen playing cautiously before, so there is every reason to believe that he will continue to go all out when he returns to the big leagues.
His heart isn't the question at this point in his career. With his knee problem not solved, but "managed", a lingering issue still remains. How effective can Utley be and for how long?
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