The late great Harry Kalas once said, “Chase Utley, you are the man!” and that quote still rings true nine years later.
Utlley has traded in his red pinstripes to wear Dodger blue, the color of his hometown team. Growing up in the Los Angeles area and eventually attending UCLA, Utley grew up a fan of the Dodgers, and witnessed history when he attended a 1988 World Series game when the Dodgers faced the Athletics.
We all knew Utley would be a special player once he made contact with his first career hit, a grand slam in 2003. But it wasn’t until 2005 when Placido Polanco was traded that Utley became the every day second baseman, and once he got that opportunity, he ran away with it. Utley finishes his Phillies career batting .282 with 233 home runs (6th in team history), and 916 RBIs (7th in team history). He finishes as arguably the most loved athlete to ever wear the Phillies uniform.
The Phillies will send the Dodgers $4 mil along with Utley and in return get INF/OF Darnell Sweeney and RHP John Richy. Sweeney, who has played 2B, 3B, RF and CF will join the Phillies after playing for the Dodgers AAA team this season. Richy has been in A ball the past two years and will most likely stay at that level in the Phillies organization.
Utley’s style of play will be dearly missed by all Phillies fans. His heart, hustle and intensity that he showed on every play is like none other.
“And then there were two,” Ryan Howard said after the trade became official. With the departure of Utley; Ryan Howard and Carlos Ruiz are now the only two players left in Philadelphia from the 2008 World Series team that captivated the city that summer.
Chase Utley, you are The Man, and you forever will be The Man.
The Philly Sports Blog 