Player Comparison - Lenny vs. Utley

by yophillybro on Jun 17, 2008 8:20 AM EDT

Warning to all you serious Phillies fans, this is just for fun.

I thought it would be fun if we compared 2 beloved Phillies to see who you would prefer on your team. I know that Chases stats don't even compare well with Dykstra but they both where the driving forces for their teams. Based on just impact and not stats, If you had to pick who you want on your team at their prime on your team, who would you rather have Lenny Dykstra or Chase Utley? Please let me know. (Please consider that Chase is clutch and Lenny hustles)

Poll

Lenny or Chase?

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Comments

You say it is not based on stats, yet then add that both players would be at their respective primes. If their performance and stats are of no consequence, why does it matter if they are in their primes? Anyway, if it does not involve numbers, I probably am not going to like it. Finally, to me, it seems as if Utley is not the driving force of this team if performance is thrown out the window, in fact it seems like he is always in the back seat with his mouth closed. This is not a criticism of Utley, however, when I think of qualitative terms like “driving force”, I think of Rollins and Victorino, who, in my opinion, are much more vocal and capable of guiding a team over a 162 game schedule.

by Neduol Caz on Jun 17, 2008 8:39 AM EDT 0 recs

Dont get be wrong

I understand your argument, I just want to keep everything in a level playing field. We all know that Chases numbers far exceed Lenny’s. If you compare HRs and averages, Chase would kill Lenny. But Lenny was as solid as a player you would find. He brought grit and hustle.

Of cource performance is a factor, just not HRs etc. you do have to consider that Chase is so productive. And Lenny provided a spark and leadership. Just consider this arguement as the value that each player provided to their team.

Dallas Sucks

by yophillybro on Jun 17, 2008 8:51 AM EDT up 0 recs

If we are talking about value, than I would take Utley every day of the week, and twice on Sunday, or whatever the saying is. I really do not understand what you are dismissing and what you are accepting into this comparison. However, the first thing you said was, “this is just for fun.” So, I will take it with a grain of salt.

by Neduol Caz on Jun 17, 2008 9:05 AM EDT up 0 recs

Nice choice.

Dallas Sucks

by yophillybro on Jun 17, 2008 9:09 AM EDT up 0 recs

Sorry, I meant to title this "Don't get ME wrong",

Dallas Sucks

by yophillybro on Jun 17, 2008 8:51 AM EDT 0 recs

Should we take steroids into account or no?

by taco pal on Jun 17, 2008 12:41 PM EDT 0 recs

Hey, he was taking it for the team. LOL

Dallas Sucks

by yophillybro on Jun 17, 2008 1:16 PM EDT up 0 recs

Lenny Dykstra over rated gritty player who cheated and supposedly ‘picks’ stocks (lots of controversy there too)

Chase Utley possibly the best player at his position offensively, ever.

Tough decision there, let me thinka bout it

by jemagee on Jun 17, 2008 2:11 PM EDT 0 recs

Grit & hustle

Utley doesn’t bring these things? What?

He’s the exception to the rule “nobody hustles all the time.” I’ve never once seen him jog to first on a routine grounder. He dives all over the place in the field. He’s constantly getting plunked, yet always calmly trots to first base.

The one thing that Utley doesn’t give is good sound bites. He’s apparently not a vocal leader, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t a leader. Obviously, you couldn’t ask for a better leader by example. And I question the value of clubhouse leadership in the first place.

So, yeah, I’d take Chase.

by phatj on Jun 17, 2008 3:53 PM EDT 0 recs

Chase is much better but . . .

In 1993, Dykstra had one of the best if not THE best leadoff seasons ever. I’m not sure Utley will ever match Dykstra’s peak season. His VORP was nearly twice that of the 2nd best CFer in the NL. His team went to the World Series. A great, great year for him.

Even given that, he was hurt nearly 50 percent of the time he was a Phillie and didn’t contribute that much save for ‘93. And his leadership ability is overblown. The biggest reason the ‘93 team was so good wasn’t really leadership or chemistry but the fact that all sorts of guys on that team had career years. Many of them had their only really good year although a couple had a year or two that wasn’t too bad other than ‘93.

And Utley might match that year by Dykstra anyway—perhaps this year (especially if he continues to club homers like he has).

by smitty99 on Jun 17, 2008 5:14 PM EDT 0 recs

I think chemistry might have had more to do with it than you think. Oh wait, you mean that kind of chemistry.

by taco pal on Jun 17, 2008 5:32 PM EDT up 0 recs

smitty’s got it right—Dykstra’s ‘93 season was one for the ages. To this day I think he had as good an MVP case as Bonds, maybe better. But where this isn’t close is durability. Utley missed a month last year with a freak injury; I think that was his only extended absence since reaching the big leagues. Dykstra made the DL his second home.

by dajafi on Jun 18, 2008 12:27 PM EDT 0 recs

Steroid use increases chances of injuries doesn’t ti?

by jemagee on Jun 18, 2008 2:31 PM EDT up 0 recs

I notice a ton of Lenny haters

I think that some times we have to guard from forgeting the past. I agree with everyone and would pick Utley as well. but I don’t read the type of love for Lenny I expected. Dykstra was a beloved part of that 93 fantasy year, it was a lot of fun. But is appears that most forget how fun that year was. My cousin actually has the VHS tape when the Phillies clinched the Pennant with a grand slam by Mariano Rivera vs the Pirates. The ball cleared the left centerfield fence in Pittsburgh. It brings back great memories watching that game. Even tough I don’t expect much votes for Lenny, I would like to read some good quotes about the type of excitement and fun he brought to the city. I don’t feel that supporting Utley necessarily means hating Dykstra.

Dallas Sucks

by yophillybro on Jun 19, 2008 8:42 AM EDT 0 recs

I do not think anybody has suggested that supporting Utley necessarily means hating Dykstra. It is just a laughable comparison, one that should never have been conceived in my opinion. Utley is the far superior player in just about every skill set a baseball player could have. I do not think there is a single baseball fan in existence who would honestly take Dykstra over Utley in their respective primes. I am not sure how this comparison was even brought about. Dykstra was a key player on a ‘93 team that went to the world series. While, Utley is a world class baseball player who is destined for the HOF if durability never becomes a concern.

by Neduol Caz on Jun 19, 2008 1:11 PM EDT up 0 recs

As a big Phillies fan, I agree that Utley will be a HOF. I understand that maybe this was a silly comparison, but keep in mind, its just for fun. I just wanted to bring back good memories to those bloggers who remember ‘93. I figured that there were really no players you can compare 93’ to ‘08 fairly with. I figured that Dykstra and Utley was a fun match up just based on value to team for 1 specific year (not necessarily being a vocal leader) but providing a spark when needed. Utley reminds me of Dykstra in the way his loved by this town and brings a spark to the game. Other than that, there were no other comparisons that even comes to mind. I know its silly, Its kinda like Celebrity deathmatch for baseball kinda fun (you know Bill Clinton vs Yanni) or something like that.

I hope the Phittins break this slum and win a championship, they have the talent to do it. But every now and then, its fun to draw paralells between ‘93 and ‘08, not only between the players, but also the energy produced by finally have a winning product that can possibly win it all.

Next Player comparison:
Mitch Williams vs Brad Lidge….(I wonder what kinda reaction this one will draw).

Dallas Sucks

by yophillybro on Jun 19, 2008 3:05 PM EDT up 0 recs