The Curse of Utley's Bomb...

After watching our beloved Phils fall a season worst 11 games behind the powerhouse Washington Nationals in the east, I have a confession to make. I know when this mess all started. It was much longer ago than most people think, but I've been noticing a trend for a while, and hoped to be wrong. Unfortunately, I'm rarely wrong, and this is no exception. For years, Boston suffered from the curse of the Bambino, The Sports Illustrated and Madden curses are well known, the Sixers suffered from the curse of Shawn Bradley every time he stepped on the court, and the curse of the Billy goat has been haunting the poor Chicago Cubs for far too long. In October of 2008, the Fightin Phils finally dismissed the curse of Billy Penn winning the World Series over the Tampa Bay Rays. However, it wouldn't be long before Billy Penn's curse was replaced by a new curse.... The curse of Utley's Bomb. Not one of his [post season included] 199 career bombs, no this was the most infamous bomb dropped in Citizens Bank Park history. The World Series parade ended in Citizens Bank park and before 65,000+ fans, many children included, Chase took to the mic and proudly proclaimed "World $&@%in Champions!" It drew some attention, but Chase didn't take much grief. In the three years before the bomb, the Phils finished each season great. They finished every season better than the one before, culminating in a World .... Championship. In the three years since, they dropped the Series to the Yankees, and bowed out rather ungraciously to the eventual World Champion Giants and Cards. What's more, Utley as an individual has really suffered since his infamous speech. In his three preceding seasons Utley averaged .310 with 116 runs scored,29 homers and 103 RBI over 150 games played. Since, he has hit .273 scoring an average of 80 runs with 19 regular bombs and 67 batted in over 125 games per season with this season marking his most time missed. The bullpen stinks, there is no timely hitting, Cliff Lee hasn't won a game, but let's face it.... It's the curse of Utley's bomb.