Utley to Call it a Career

Beloved former Phillies second baseman Chase Utley announced today that this will be his last season and he will be retiring at the end of the year.

Utley helped lead the Phillies to 5 straight National League East titles, 2 National League championships, and the 2008 World Series championship.

Utley was a fan favorite for his hair-on-fire, all-out style of play. As a Phillie from 2003 to 2015, Utley hit .282 with an OPS of .847 to go along with 233 home runs and 916 RBI. His first big league hit was the stuff of Hollywood. In the bottom of the third inning on April 24, 2003, Utley came up with Jim Thome, Mike Lieberthal, and David Bell on base. Utley hit the first pitch he saw from Colorado Rockies starter Aaron Cook and launched it into the right field bullpen at Veterans Stadium. As Utley sprinted around the bases, Harry Kalas told the TV audience, "Welcome to the Show, Mr. Utley."

Utley was a 6-time All-Star with the Phils and was all business on the field. He wasn't fond of talking to the media. He let his play talk for him. Utley's best years with the Phils were from 2005 to 2009, when he OPSd .922, averaging 29 home runs and 102 RBI. In the 2009 World Series against the Yankees, Utley hit 5 home runs and knocked in 8 runs. 

There are so many Utley moments worth remembering. There was his throw home after looking to first in the 2008 Series that got Tampa Bay's Jason Bartlett at the plate. Or his Aug. 9, 2006 double against the Braves that cleared the bases giving the Phils a 5-3 lead. But that wasn't the end of it. Ryan Howard was the next hitter and chopped a ball high off the plate. Braves pitcher Macay McBride waited for it to come down and threw to first to get Howard. But Utley was running at full speed and by the time the throw made it to first, Utley was halfway home. The second baseman fired home, but Utley slid under the tag, and Harry Kalas remarked "Chase Utley you are the man!"

But what absolutely cemented Utley's rock star status happened at the World Series victory parade on Oct. 31, 2008 at Citizens Bank Park. After being introduced by Kalas to a thunderous ovation, Utley uttered a 5-word, NSFW statement that summed up the feelings of every single Phillies fan.

Utley was traded to the Dodgers on Aug. 19, 2015. He returns to Philadelphia on July 23 for a 3-game series. He's going to feel the love from the fans all over again. Make a point to be at the ballpark, or watch on TV. It's going to be a special opportunity to say goodbye to a Philadelphia legend. Unless of course, the Phillies and the Dodgers meet in the playoffs.