Second baseman Chase Utley looks forward to work with Ryne Sandberg
Chase Utley recently had a chance to speak to reporters at the Bright House Field in Clearwater, Florida. The second baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies has recently joined spring training camp and his focus has been preparing for the challenge ahead.
With the regular season only weeks away, Utley talked to the reporters about several topics and mentioned details about the opportunity to work with Ryne Sandberg.
Sandberg, also known as Ryno, recently rejoined the Philadelphia Phillies’ minor league managing board after ending a Hall of Fame stint with the Chicago Cubs. Sandberg is the Triple-A Lehigh Valley Manager and according to Utley, the two met several times
in the past few months. Chase went on to tell the reporters that he would be dumb not to pick on Ryno’s brain. Sandberg also had a chance to talk about Utley.
"I've admired him from a distance," Sandberg said. "I've heard good things about him."
The similarities between the two baseball figures are uncanny. Ryno was picked by the Phillies in the 20th round of the draft in 1978. Chase was picked in the first round in 2000. Both have a reputation for being offensive second basemen. Sandberg
has a career batting average of .285 and a slugging percentage of .452. Utley, on the other hand has a hitting average of .293 and slugging ratio of .519. Ryno has a similar work ethic as well.
"Really staying even keel," Sandberg said. "Not getting too high or too low. He's somewhat quiet, but also a leader. Vocal when he has to be. His brings intensity on a daily basis. That's something that he brings as I did. Intensity every single day. Doesn't
matter if you're 4-for-4 yesterday or 0-for-5. Back to work the next day."
Utely missed his last two months to injury and has been a regular player since 2005. General Manager, Ruben Amaro Jr., sees the player performing the same way he always has after returning from injury.
"Chase is arguably one of the best hitters in the league," Amaro said. "Obviously, we can't look away from it. But, at the same time, we believe he's still in his prime. If we can just keep him on the field he'll do his thing."
The one thing the Phillies are hoping is Sandberg’s help in getting Chase back to form. Both men seem to get along and the inspiration a future Hall of Famer brings to the field in undeniable. The Phillies expect to have both men as part of the team once
the regular season starts.
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