Ah, the familiar sights of Citizens Bank Park. The Mike Schmidt statue outside the third base gate. The Robin Roberts statue outside the first base gate. The Ryan Howard statue at first base. Chase Utley at second base. Baseball doesn’t get much better than when Utley is playing in the dirt.
Unfortunately for fans making the journey to the ballpark to take in the Philadelphia Phillies home opener, they won’t be treated to the sound of baseball this afternoon—Led Zeppelin’s Kashmir. Utley is not in the lineup today, as he’s suffering from the flu, which I can report is really going around this spring.
Don’t blame Utley for his absence though. Ryne Sandberg makes it sound almost as if he had to have security escort his second baseman out of the building today.
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Sandberg on Utley (flu): "He was sick as a dog. I told him to go home." #Phillies
— Martin Frank (@Mfranknfl) April 8, 2014
Okay, so maybe I took a little bit of creative license there, but there is no doubt in my mind Utley really hates missing the home opener. Now be sure to stop at CVS if you’re on your way to the game and pick up a get well card for Chase, because the Phils are need his lumber back in the lineup ASAP.
Your starting lineups:
Home Opener lineups at Citizens Bank Park. I think the third name down on the left could bring South Philly boos. pic.twitter.com/EM28dWDDCs
— Ryan Lawrence (@ryanlawrence21) April 8, 2014