NEW YORK - Look at it this way: Chase Utley probably isn't the first person to tell New York sports fans to (bleep) off.
Although such comments generally play well in a city that has never hid its dislike of its neighbor to the north, Utley apologized last night for a remark that was caught by a live ESPN microphone during introductions for the Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium.
After the Phillies second baseman heard a chorus of boos from the crowd when he was introduced, Utley was heard responding, "Boo? [Bleep] you."
A clip of the remark was posted on the Internet within an hour of when it was uttered.
Utley, who was eliminated after hitting five home runs in the first round, later apologized.
"It was a poor choice of words," he said. "I didn't mean anything by it. I was kind of joking around with my buddy over there, so I do want to apologize."
Poor Utley but I must agree!