Chase's Chase Could Leads to Record's Roots
| 11
|
by user Ross K.
I still maintain that media pressure will be too intense and Chase Utley's hitting streak won't last much longer. (My guess is it ends at 40.) That being said, Utley did hit in his 35th straight game tonight and the buzz is heating up around MLB circuits.
Out of curiosity, I decided to see where hits number 56 and 57 would (could) take place.
So I headed to the Philadelphia Phillies website and clicked on the schedule. I started counting up from 35 and noticed myself getting into a long road trip. So much for magic for the home fans. 53, 54, 55 and the Phillies pull in to... New York.
That right, if Utley hits the magic number, and presuming he doesn't sit out a couple games here and there, the event will take place a subway's ride away from Joe DiMaggio's stomping grounds: Shea Stadium, home of the New York Mets.
That's great for history, great for legend, great for selling books and newspapers. The problem is, neither Mets fans or New York needs it.
The Mets are comfortably leading the NL East. They most likely sell out every single game. New York is the economic center of America. They can't use this event like other cities.
Tickets for these games are going to be red hot. If those Mets games aren't sold out already they will be in the next couple days if the streak continues. A smaller franchise - say the Pittsburgh Pirates, Colorado Rockies or Florida Marlins - could use the extra income of a full stadium for the weekend. The Mets don't need it.
Am I suggesting Utley should take three games off so the record could be set when the Phillies visit the Washington Nationals? No. Six games so he can do it at home? No.
Like I said before, I still don't think it will even happen.
But if it does, it will most happen in the Big Apple. Maybe against Pedro Martinez? Sure, that would be cool. I just think it's disappointing that New York has one more thing going for it.
Date
Thu 08/03/06, 5:42 pm EST
