

Marcus Hayes, a guy who's never come across as a “jolly old fellow,” said in a recent Philly.com chat that Chase Utley is never criticized in this city because he's white.

Oh boy.

No, Marcus, Chase is given a pass because he plays hard, doesn’t complain (which you interpret as seldom accountable), and, when healthy, has been a consistent performer with very few flaws. And he saves kittens. On the other hand, Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins receive criticism, not beause they’re black, but because Howard gets paid significantly more, strikes out A TON (13 times in last year's WS) and didn't have an RBI in the postseason, while Rollins has had two very sub-par seasons and previously called Philly fans front-runners.

What about Jayson Werth? He was hardly given a pass this season. And it don’t get much whiter than him, yo. You can run tell 'dat.

Back in June, I went a little more in depth (at the request of Big League Stew) as to why Utley is treated differently.

Hayes' full, misguided comments after the jump. Since he’s both white and black (his words, not mine), he is able to get away with playing the race card.

[Comment From PhilliesPhan] It is funny that over the years Rollins and Howard get crucified in this city but Big Baby Utley gets nothing……

12:42 Marcus: Yes. It is interesting. Except Utley is white. And he likes to curse in public. Imagine if Jimmy had done that?

12:43 [Comment From Kyle] How was Ryan Howard hurt?

12:44 Marcus: Really? Memory loss?

12:44 [Comment From Kyle] That's completely inaccurate concerning the farm system. The Phils have a top 10-15 farm even with the trades. The issue is that all of their talent in A ball

12:45 Marcus: Talent in A-ball is worthless. Talent in Double-A and Triple-A means something.

12:45 [Comment From Joe] Now it's a white and black issue Marcus?

12:45 Marcus: Always was.

12:45 [Comment From Joe] Has nothing to do with him being white. he plays hard every play unlike Howard and rollins. Why does it have to be about race?

12:45 Marcus: Right. The black guys are lazy. The two MVPs are lazy. Where's your hood?

12:46 [Comment From Guest] the arrogance of jimmy and howard contribute to people being critical of them. they are the first to accept praise. chase does not look for attention so he does not get a lot of bad attention

12:46 Marcus: Chase hides from criticism. He hides from everything. Some leader.

12:46 [Comment From Guest] i am offended by the color issue being raised here.

12:46 Marcus: Free to leave, pal.

12:46 [Comment From Son of Marcus] Whoever is moderating this thing, please get rid of this prick. He sucks. Whitey whitey stuff, the snarky comments – not worth participating in AT ALL.

12:47 Marcus: I'm moderating it. And you're gone.

12:47 [Comment From Kyle] So the 3 weeks Howard missed cost him 10-15 HR's?? thats ridiculous

12:47 Marcus: OK. You hit on 1 leg.

12:47 [Comment From Sal Pals Teeth] What team challenges the Phillies next year in NL East?

12:48 Marcus: Man, that's a great question. The Braves could be good for a while, but I'm no fan of Fredi Gonzalez

12:48 [Comment From Guest] Thanks Marcus – finally someone in the media has the stones to say it. Howard and Rollins routinely outplay Utley, but because of his skin color, he can do no wrong. Just like Werth is a worse white version of Abreu…people hate Abreu, love Werth.

12:48 Marcus: You''re welcome.

12:49 [Comment From Aaron] Marcus, do you even like the Phillies because you predicted the Reds would beat them? Now because you have a dislike for a white athlete, you're stirring up the race issue.

12:49 Marcus: I don't dislike the Phillies. I don't dislike Utley. I do my job.

12:49 [Comment From Sal Pals Teeth] I bet his hood in whiter than Sal Pal's new teeth. You make a good point Marcus. Sorry to say, race always plays an issue. Anyway, do you think Brad Lidge will continue his turnaround next year?

12:50 Marcus: I think he'll be spotty the rest of his career; I just can't think he's physicially sound.

12:50 [Comment From Duke Fame] In all fairness, I'm white and I hated Abreu and I hate Werth. So there.

12:50 Marcus: Touche.

12:50 [Comment From Guest] I love when journalists make claims with no proof. Offer any evidence?

12:52 Marcus: Are you blind, pal? You have two MVPs in town who get nothing but ripped. Rollins is worth more to this team hitting .250 than Utley hitting .300 with 30 dongs, simply because he can catch. And what have Howard or Rollins done that was remotely as vulgar and offensive as what Utley did after the parade? Evidence? World Bleeping Champions? Come on.

12:53 [Comment From Guest] I have issues with Utley and Howard and none of it has to do with color for me. I find neither accountable. Werth also comes off as disinterested sometimes.

12:53 Marcus: Utley certainly is seldom accountable; Howard usually is defensive, which, I guess, is similar.

12:53 [Comment From jcb] marcus is raceist

12:54 Marcus: Marcus, who is white and black, is anything but a racist. And, at least Marcus can spell.

12:54 [Comment From notherwhiteguy] So true about Howard/Utley and race. Howard was the leading hitter in the playoffs (best BA, best OPS) and Chase was horrific, but people only complain about Howard. Except Missanelli, who hates everyone.

12:54 Marcus: Ha!

12:54 [Comment From Jack] being outspoken does not make you a leader

12:55 Marcus: Being unaccountable makes you a non-leader.

12:55 [Comment From Guest] If you think Rollins is more valuable than Utley than you don't understand player Valuation. Utley's OBP demolishes Rollins. Also his SLG%. And 2b is as scarce as SS. But those are facts which have no place in this chat.

12:55 Marcus: Player valuation is a fraudulent. nerd-bases entity. What's Cody Ross' player valuation, pal?

12:56 [Comment From frankenslade] I'm white and I agree that Chase gets a free ride for being our city's Great White Hope, but it's more than that, he's got the Strong, Silent Clint Eastwood thing going for him, regardless of his race. Still, while Howard gets busted for not saying exactly what some fans wanted him to say after ending the NLCS on a called third strike, Utley says…NOTHING! When does Utley face the music for a pathetic series?

12:56 Marcus: See?

12:57 [Comment From Guest] The World Effin Champions finished it for me with Utley. People wonder why the writers are cranky, but I've seen the disdain these guys have for questions and it's just reprehensible. Doesn't it suck to cover these mopes?

12:57 Marcus: Mopes! I love it.

12:57 [Comment From Kevin] Wow, I understand now because Utley doesn't give good sound bytes and isn't buddy-buddy with the media, he's unlikable and not a good interview. This is absolutely ridiculous

12:57 Marcus: No: He's condescending and rarely accountable. Not that it matters to you, Mr. Man-Crush.

12:58 [Comment From JD] you people are crazy…lose Utley and watch a real downward spiral.

12:59 Marcus: I agree. The team is a monster as-is. They play great down the stretch, they play hard all the time, they play hurt. You all should appreciate them.

1:00 [Comment From Eman] With our top three starters and a healthy lineup, I like our 2011 chances a whole lot, with or without Werth.

1:00 Marcus: Me, too. Adios, chatters.

1:00 philly.com: Thanks for chatting, Marcus, and everybody! Keep up with the latest news and conversations at the DN homepage…





We are admittedly a few days late on this. Crashburn Alley did a good job of getting all SABR on Hayes to prove him wrong.