Two Bruins in the Series

by Herodotus on Oct 28, 2009 4:50 PM PDT

I know SoCal has taken a hit in the baseball postseason, with the Angels and the boys in blue going out, but for Bruins, there are two bright spots: Chase Utley and Ben Francisco. Both are starting tonight for the Phillies, so if everyone in Bruins Nation can forgive the Phils for knocking off the Dodgers, I hope you'll root for the Bruins in red.
Chase has become a Philadelphia favorite--he and his wife are active in the community, especially in animal rescue, and Ben came over from Cleveland with Cliff Lee.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

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Let's go Utley!

2 HR off the hated Pinstrips. That’s what I’m talking about Chase.

by Bellerophon on Oct 28, 2009 7:40 PM PDT reply actions

Ben Francisco's numbers against Andy Sonnenstine

Ben is something like 9 for 10 against Sonny with 8 homers. Alas, Ben doesn’t face Sonny often enough to qualify for the Hall of Fame. Against rest of the league, Ben isn’t quite as good.

As Archie Bunker used to say, I hate to cast a suppository remark, but would someone explain to Utley that there is only so much gel a person can put on before the inevitable comparisons to CHP will start coming, and no one wants that.

by Fox 71 on Oct 28, 2009 9:17 PM PDT reply actions

I wish I had known about this on Tuesday

I was volunteering at a college fair representing UCLA and someone asked about the baseball program and I was trying to remember alums of the program and I couldn’t remember anyone other than Eric Karros and Troy Glaus. Then the dad started off on a story about Eric Karros so I couldn’t start talking about Jackie Robinson…

by freesia39 on Oct 29, 2009 11:58 AM PDT reply actions

Lots more

But the two who come to mind this time of year especially are Jeff Conine, who played on two championship Marlin teams, and Chris Chambliss, the great former (ugh!) Yankee.

But every Bruin should know Chase Utley, who’s an all-star and one of the great second basemen in baseball.

Got more?

by Herodotus on Oct 29, 2009 4:32 PM PDT reply actions

A few more active ones

Garrett Atkins of the Rockies is another one, although he really struggled this year. He had been a .300, 25 homer guy the last 3 years.

David Huff of the Indians, who didn’t have throw too well this year, his first full year in the majors, but did lead the Indians in wins.

Eric Byrnes has never been a great player, but he’s had himself a 10 year career.

As for guys who have retired, there’s Tim Leary, Dave Roberts, Rich Amaral (his son is a freshman on the team this year) and Todd Zeile. There are probably some others that I’ve forgotten.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Oct 29, 2009 5:49 PM PDT up reply actions

Don't forget

Shane Mack, 1984 Olympian

by EdO'B3017 on Oct 29, 2009 8:28 PM PDT up reply actions

Forgiveness

I for one cannot forgive the Phillies for the past two NLCS, particularly Game 4 this year. I am actually embarrassed that Chase Utley is a Bruin. He needs to move to a different team so I can root for him, he is a great player. The Dodger Blue i bleed isn’t too far from the True Blue (plus gold) of UCLA

by PrincetonBruin on Oct 29, 2009 7:34 PM PDT reply actions

He was drafted by

the Dodgers but decided to enroll at UCLA instead.

I was at game 1 and 2 of this years’ NLCS at Dodger stadium, as well as game 4 and 5 of last year’s NLCS. He was the least booed Philie. He is my favorite Bruin in the MLB. Used to be Troy Glaus because he was an Angel but then that Mitchell report came out. Glaus disappointed a lot of Bruin baseball fans, I’m sure

by EdO'B3017 on Oct 29, 2009 8:27 PM PDT up reply actions

Thanks, Rye

I knew you’d have some more names. I googled, too, last night (UCLA Bruins in Major League Baseball), and was surprised at how many Bruins there were over the years, including Dr. Bobby Brown, the old Yankee, who also attended Stanford and got his medical degree at Tulane.

As to PrincetonBruin—having lived all over the country, I’ve found it more convenient to root for Bruins than for home teams, so I’m just glad to see Utley in my current home area. I had the hardest time with Troy Aikman, such is my dislike of Dallas, but I’m an OKC Thunder fanatic now, checking RW’s stats every day, and I don’t know how to deal with Trevor Ariza, whom the Lakers never should have let go (but should have hung around Westwood a little longer).

Anyway, it’s good to know we have representation in a sport we rarely get publicity for. And that UCLA outscored the Yankees in Game 1.

by Herodotus on Oct 30, 2009 5:33 AM PDT reply actions

Dr. Bobby Brown

W.S. champ 4 or 5x with the Yankees and later became the American League President. He played 3B on those great Yankee teams in the late 40s to early 50s.

He’s retired in Forth Worth area I think. I remember writing him a letter about 12 years ago. To my suprise, he actually answered the letter. I was able to send a baseball for him to sign. It remains one of my treasured collectibles.