Read: Chat with Utley
While standing on top of the plate yesterday, Phillies 2B Chase Utley pulled off a rare hit-by-pitch hat trick. 
In a chat for ESPN.com today, Utley was asked by a reader, “Hugging the plate a little too close yesterday don’t ya think?!”
Utley responded:
“As far as hugging the plate, yes, and that’s not gonna change!”
…that was ridiculous…i mean, honestly, he made the umpire look like an idiot by not attempting to move out of the way…he knew he was over matched by two left-handed pitchers so he pulls a Roger Dorn…i say bush league…
…added to by Matthew Cerrone…
During an appearance today on ESPN Radio’s Mike and Mike in the Morning, Utley said he could have avoided being hit by at least one of those pitches.
…in other words, the umpire needs to take note of how ridiculously close utley stands to the plate…if you notice, in the aerial shot, his front elbow actually hangs over the plate at times…which is not allowed…and if the umpire is not going to enforce this, well, then the pitcher should, by drilling him over and over again – like Pedro Martinez used to do with Derek Jeter and Alfonso Soriano…
…i hate suggesting these sort of tactics, but if the umpire will not do his job, allowing the pitcher a fair opportunity to throw a strike, then the pitcher and catcher must take matters in to their own hands…this is not about macho or ego, it’s about owning the paint on the plate…it’s age old…
By the way, in the interview, Utley also referred to Oliver Perez as Odalis Perez.
…thanks to Jason B for the heads up on utley’s comments…
