Chase Utley: Lucille Henry thinks you are the man.
This after his second home run in August - a two-run blast in the bottom of the third inning of last night's contest against the Diamondbacks - made Henry, an 83-year-old Philadelphia resident, the latest $1,000 winner in the Daily News Home Run Payoff contest.
On Tuesday, Jim Walls, of West Deptford, N.J., won a grand on a homer by Carlos Ruiz in the sixth inning. It was the third time this season there have been back-to-back winners.
"I have been playing for years and never dreamed my name would come up because I never win anything," Henry said. "I have been a fan for a long time and never doubted them even when they were down."
Since "the bills come first," Henry noted her plan to use our money to save hers. Smart lady.
The homer was Utley's 17th Payoff jack. In addition, it was the first back-to-back Payoff nights since a pair in May (4-5, 21-22).
Four others won Phillies Gift Packs. They were:
Herman Blakeney, Philadelphia
Mark Sandaal, Easton
Michael Cooney, Philadelphia
Elaine Subbio, Broomall
The Daily News pays $1,000 for a home run hit in the Payoff inning and $10,000 for a grand slam. Contestants whose batters fail to hit a home run receive a gift pack, which includes a variety of Phillies-related items.
This season, the Daily News has paid out $18,000 on 14 Payoff homers.
You can hear the Home Run Payoff inning during each Phillies broadcast on WPHT (1210-AM). Today's coupon is on Page 61. *
