FanNation

Since the last week, when I brought to your attention the plight of my beloved Seattle Mariners, they've proceeded to go 1-6, and that includes four games against the equally moribund Texas Rangers. Well, needless to say, I'm in need of a happy story to take my mind off of my suffering, so, instead, I'm going to kick hiya in the **** for dropping this group on GOAT cover the depth of Chase Utley leading the major leagues in home runs with 13.

What makes Chase Utley's potential accomplishment so special is that only three times has a second baseman led his league in home runs in the live ball era (Rogers Hornsby in 1922 and 1925, and Ryne Sandberg in 1990), and only twice has a second baseman led the majors (Hornsby twice). Granted, it's early, but this is quite an accomplishment even right now. Second base has seen some talented power hitters in the recent era (Sandberg, Jeff Kent, Alfonso Soriano), but even this far into the season for a two-bagger to be leading the majors in home runs is impressive.

Utley should be able to continue his torrid pace throughout the season because he has a few things that are crucial to a hitter's success: protection in the lineup and a good hitter's ballpark. With former MVP Ryan Howard hitting behind him, with Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino getting on base in front of them, and the red-hot Pat Burrell behind them all, Utley has an optimal situation for a power hitter. I can't remember a lineup this stacked since the 1996 Mariners with Ken Griffey, Jr., Jay Buhner, Edgar Martinez, and a young Alex Rodriguez mashing the ball nightly (if only they had pitching past Randy Johnson {read: SCREW Y0U BOBBY AYALA!}). Citizen's Bank Park is a great benefit to Utley, because its favorable dimensions are conducive to the long ball, perhaps to the point of pre-Humidor Coors Field.

However, the small ballpark may make the record a hollow one, because Utley won't be doing all of his work in normal ballparks, like Sandberg in Wrigley Field, Kent in Candlestick and Pac-Bell Park, and Soriano as a right-handed hitter in Yankee Stadium have had to suffer through. Part of Citizen's Bank Park's inflated home runs can be attributed to having Howard, Burrell, Utley and Rollins playing there, but not at the rate that it surrenders dingers. 

Utley's chase for the home run lead will be an interesting sidenote to a season that's full of compelling drama.