Is it any surprise that Chase Utley decided to go hard into second base? Whether it was a clean or dirty slide is up for debate, I didn’t have too much of a problem with it, but the bigger discussion is the lack of respect the Phillies have for the Mets.

If Utley was trying to hurt Ruben Tejada I would have a problem with the slide. Personally, I don’t think he was, but there has been a history of hatred of the Mets over in the Phillies dugout. Remember, they may be the only championship team that called out a non playoff team at their victory parade when Jimmy Rollins made a point to mock the Mets in 2008. In other words there is no love lost.

The Mets have created this problem for themselves. Since 2007 they have been unable to get the job done on a consistent basis. When they had a chance to put the Phillies away late in 2008 they lost two of three at Shea. They struggled down the stretch against Florida, Chicago, and a lousy Braves team. Each September since 07′ the Phils have seized every opportunity to control their playoff destiny.

Why should the Phillies, or anyone in this league, respect this Mets team? They don’t play hard for a full season, have a passive manager on the bench, and have yet to show they can win as a team on a consistent basis. What does it tell you when R.A. Dickey was more profound last night then Jerry Manuel has been at any point during his tenure. This quote by Dickey sums it all up:

Losing is painful so you have to feel the pain of it for sure…I think it starts there…I think it starts with really feeling the pain of losing, and it creating a distaste in your mouth…I think that’s where it’s gotta begin…to watch guys shake hands on an opposing club in a game you felt you battled hard enough to win…It needs to start with everybody in the clubhouse in getting an unrefined palette so to speak and it being a situation where that’s a grotesque feeling, and everyone in here needs to feel that because that motivates you to greater heights, and that’s what you have to take out of it.”

If this club doesn’t care about winning why should the opposition show them any respect? They are just another fodder team on the schedule.

I am glad that Jose Reyes and David Wright spoke out with fire after the game. The fire this team displayed in the post game was needed back in July when they blew that pre All Star break home stand, and subsequent west coast trip. Sending the Phillies a message now is a moot point. Do you think they care about the Mets being angry? They are on verge of winning their fourth straight NL East title. That’s their focus going into tonight’s game. Not a second division clubs feelings.

Until things change with the culture of the Mets there will be more Utley situations. The Mets are not relevant anymore, even with their own fan base. When that changes they will get the respect they allegedly desire.



Mike Silva is a freelance writer and radio host since March of 2007. This website is his own personal "digest" of New York Baseball He's also hosts NYBD Radio on Blog Talk Radio and 1240 AM WGBB. Check out his sports media commentary at www.sportsmediawatchdog.com. Check out his official website, www.mikesilvamedia.com

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Tags: Chase Utley, David Wright, Jerry Manuel, Jose Reyes, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, R.A Dickey, Ruben Tejada