NEW YORK -- You wanted Chase Utley to show more emotion?Well, you got it.
In case you missed it (and that seems impossible, considering it's all over YouTube already), Utley used some not-so-nice language tonight during the player introductions for the Home Run Derby. Seemingly surprised to be booed by the sellout crowd at Yankee Stadium (Mets fans, presumably), Utley ran onto the field, stood next to Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla and said, "Boo? [Expletive] you."
One problem: Utley was mic'd.
Oops!
And while that may make him even more popular among Mets-hating Phillies fans, Utley was embarrassed by the incident.
"I do want to apologize. It was a poor choice of words," he said later from outside the National League clubhouse. "I didn't really mean anything by it. I was just joking around with my buddy [Uggla]. But it definitely was not the best choice of words."
Bigger question: How does something like this happen?
According to MLB spokesman Pat Courtney, networks are supposed to have a delay that enables them to prevent inappropriate language from being aired. Trekked out to the ESPN trailer to find Nate Smeltz, the network's manager of communications. After reviewing the telecast, Smeltz tells us via e-mail that ESPN had a 5-second delay in place for the Home Run Derby. But because Utley's gaffe took place during the pre-Derby introductions, the delay wasn't in effect. Seven of the eight Derby contestants agreed to wear the mic (Milwaukee's Ryan Braun declined, and you can bet Utley will next time, too).
"It was an unfortunate mistake," Smeltz said in a statement. "We apologize to our viewers."
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Meanwhile, if you'd like to get a little flavor for the media session earlier today, here are some of Utley's (cleaner) comments to myself and other reporters. Click here to listen:
R09_0049.mp3, R09_0050.mp3.
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It's hard to find a more well-respected All-Star than Utley.
9 comments:
"Bigger question: How does something like this happen?"
A player representing your Phillies and the city of Philadelphia, and THIS is the question you have?
Captain,
Was Utley wrong? Sure. Is he used to wearing a mic? Obviously not. But to put the weight of representing the "city of Philadelphia" on his shoulders is a bit ludicrous. I'm pretty sure that was part of Utley's baseball instinct, which is one of the things Phils fans love about him. And if you think cussin' doesn't belong in the game, you're way too late.
Hey, Scott:
The bigger question is why aren't the national media decrying the New York boobirds.
Imagine had an All-Star been booed in Philly. It would have been all over the national media today.
As for Chase, way to go, buddy! Philly loves you even more now!
I guess cussin' belongs in the game like stupidity belongs in the NJ
You removed a post that criticized the language of one of your posters. Can you explain why? Not interested in the opinions of your readers?
Come on.
I could name a few even more respected all stars--Philly fans are just jealous that no one pays attention to there city....New York...Neewwwwww Yooooooork........
lemme ask you, Jason, let's just say J D Drew was heard uttering, "Boo? F you." to the Philly faithful after being booed in a game here at Philly. Would that as well be dismissed as "I'm pretty sure that was part of (Drew's) baseball instinct"
and, Yes, he is on the PHILADELPHIA Philles, so, yes, he does represent PHILADELPHIA and the PHILLIES each time he goes out on that baseball field
If Drew stands on top of the dugout and yells it, that's a problem. But the Utley incident just proves that some ballplayers shouldn't be mic'd. He made a comment under his breath, a comment, by the way, that the network should have censored.
Also, I think your idea of "representing" a team or city, while admirable, just doesn't apply to the modern major pro athlete. What are the chances Chase Utley will finish his career "representing" the Phillies? He plays a team sport, but he represents himself. His swearing on TV makes him look bad, not the Phillies or the city.
Now the Yankees fans booing and heckling Paplebon last night ... that makes a larger group of folks look bad.
I guess you have no explanation. levine? Also, for those poor individuals who couldn't figure out how to vote for Pat the Bat, how about sending them to the library? I would guess some of the Phillies fans could fine one somewhere. Or maybe not.
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