Utley had TV, radio cursing

It was hardly on the scale of a wardrobe malfunction, but Chase Utley's dropping of the F-bomb on live TV and radio yesterday caused a stir among some Philadelphians.

After proclaiming "World champions!" at the Phillies' celebration at Citizens Bank Park, the smiling second baseman leaned into the microphone and inserted a familiar two-syllable profanity between "world" and "champions."

The crowd loved it, erupting into cheers for several minutes. Local TV and radio stations covering the event live, however, were less amused.

Utley's utterance was heard on all of them, and the Federal Communications Commission doesn't take kindly to cursing.

Anchors from NBC10, 6ABC and Fox29 issued on-air apologies almost immediately. CBS3's came later. Despite having used a tape delay of several seconds, the word made it onto their air.

"The technician hit the button, but missed by a hair," a station spokeswoman said. "We apologize to our viewers that this aired despite our precautions." Sister station KYW Newsradio also apologized to its listeners.

Afterward, Utley said he hadn't planned to let loose with the profanity. "I was told I had to talk 10 minutes before I talked. Short and to the point."

Fans at Citizens Bank Park generally were unfazed.

"They hear worse stuff in school," said Ivette Centeno, 44, of Northeast Philadelphia, there with her two children and two grandchildren. "As a parent, we can explain that it was just excitement, and that we don't want them to say that."

Malik Muhammad, 29, of West Philadelphia, there with his daughter, Tia, 6, and Tia's mother, Tamika Taylor, 28, called the remark "surprising, but I can't say it disturbed us."

"It's understandable. It's an emotional time for him and for the city. We cheered him. We understood. . . . That's how much love we have for this team."

Perhaps the day's best line came from Steve Reinhardt, 17, an 11th grader from Atco, Camden County, at Citizens Bank Park with his brother, Dane, 12, and their father, Ray, 44, a printer.

"I thought it was awesome," Steve Reinhardt said. "It got the loudest applause of the day."