Chase Utley has announced that he will call it quits at the end of this season, bringing an end to his 16 year MLB career.
Utley is best known for his time in Philadelphia as a member of the Phillies. He spent the first twelve and a half years of his career in Philly making up a core part of the team’s lineup along with Ryan Howard.
In his prime, Chase Utley was perhaps the best second basemen in baseball. He had all the tools. He could hit, hit with power, field, run the bases, you name it. His versatility, in no small part, played a role in his dominance at the plate that would last for over a decade.
Chase Utley led all of baseball in WAR from 2005-2014. Ten seasons.
Everyone else who has ever done that for a decade (sans Bonds) is or will be a Hall of Famer. Think about that.
— Ben Harris (@byBenHarris) July 13, 2018
He was named an MLB All-Star six times, five of which were consecutive appearances (2006-2010). It was within these same years that Utley would create a dynasty at his position. During this time, he was recognized for his batting prowess by being honored as the top offensive second basemen in the National League by winning the Silver Slugger Award four times in a row. He also helped the Phillies to a World Series Championship in 2008. Utley hit .292 with 33 home runs and 104 RBIs that year to bring help get Philadelphia to the Fall Classic.
Chase Utley is hanging up his cleats at the end of 2018.
He currently ranks 7th all-time in HR (259) among 2B. pic.twitter.com/8IGIo2Eywf
— MLB Stat of the Day (@MLBStatoftheDay) July 13, 2018
He was eventually traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2015 and has been there ever since. His numbers have steadily declined since joining the team, but his role in LA goes way past the field. With age and experience comes great knowledge, and he has shared his insights with members of the organization which have made them better ball players for it. One player who Utley impacted tremendously was utility player Enrique Hernandez, who spoke about how much Chase has influenced him throughout his time with the Dodgers:
“He’s changed the way I see the game, he’s changed the way I eat, he’s changed the way I prepare in the offseason from now on and the way I prepare during the season every day. From now on if I end up having a pretty successful career, whether he likes it or not, he’s going to have had something to do with it.”
All good things must come to an end, and at 39 years old, Utley has decided its time to step away from the game and focus on the more important things in life like his family. His career has been nothing short of spectacular, and his resume will make a strong case for consideration into the MLB Hall of Fame.
Chase Utley will reportedly announce he is retiring at end of season
Looks like @Phillies fans will have chance to say goodbye July 23-25 at Citizens Bank Park
Will always remember watching Chase hold up that World Series#Phillies pic.twitter.com/INijl3BmiK
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) July 13, 2018
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