Chase Utley

I have a huge mancrush on Chase Utley. It's not just because I'm a rabid Phillies fan, or that I have a special homo-erotic place in my heart for Philly athletes, but I think Chase Utley is truly special. The number's themselves don't lie: he's in the midst of a 5-game homer streak, has homered in 7 of the last 8 games, he's hitting .320, leading the league in HRs and RBIs, all from second base (where he has a decent glove, B T Dubs). People forget that he only has 3 full seasons major league under his belt, in each of which he had 100+ RBIs (and he's trending to shatter his personal best this year). His statistics are gaudy, and make his the best second baseman in all of baseball right now, maybe with a shot to be mentioned with the greatest all time.

But here's the thing that makes me go all ga-ga and gay for him. He does it the right way. Look, he's amazingly talented and gorgeous. Yes, I said it. Chase Utley is not only 'good-looking', but gorgeous. He's been blessed with the natural advantages to be able to just sit back and collect on his privilege. But he doesn't. He works at it relentlessly. He plays hard everyday, on every play. Always guaranteed to have dirt on his jersey at the end of a game. He's a grinder, but not in the David Eckstein use of the word where someone has to grind just to make it, no Chase Utley could sit back and his skills would make him an above average ball-player: .280+ BA, 15-80 guy. But he doesn't. Even last night, in a game where he went 3-4, he's laying down bunts, and knocking over catchers.

Off the field, he doesn't talk much, doesn't gloat, doesn't pout, doesn't call out teammates or talk trash. He just goes out and is damn good at his job, and works everyday to be better at it. He's also socially conscious and by all accounts, an upright, decent citizen.

Who wouldn't love a guy like that?