Chase Utley

Chase Utley
Utley with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2009
Second baseman
Born: (1978-12-17) December 17, 1978 (age 45)
Pasadena, California, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 4, 2003, for the Philadelphia Phillies
Last MLB appearance
September 30, 2018, for the Los Angeles Dodgers
MLB statistics
Batting average.275
Home runs259
Runs batted in1,025
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Chase Cameron Utley (born December 17, 1978), is an American former professional baseball second baseman who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 16 seasons, primarily for the Philadelphia Phillies. He also played for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is a six-time All-Star, won a World Series with the Phillies in 2008, and was chosen as the second baseman on the Sports Illustrated All-Decade Team for the 2000s.[1] He batted left-handed and threw right-handed.

After becoming a permanent fixture as the Phillies' second baseman, Utley demonstrated versatility, spending some time at first base as well. As his fielding improved, he and shortstop Jimmy Rollins were regarded as one of the best middle-infield combinations in the NL until Rollins was traded to the Dodgers in the winter of 2014.[2] Utley was considered by fans to be a team leader of the Phillies, alongside Rollins and Ryan Howard,[3] and he has been noted for his leadership qualities with the Dodgers.[4][5][6] Utley was known for his quiet understated demeanor, instead setting an example for teammates with his exhaustive preparation in the video room and the batting cage.[7][8][9][10] He has been criticized by some former players for an overly aggressive baserunning style.[11]

Utley's seven career World Series home runs are the most for a second baseman, and he shares the record of five home runs in a single World Series with Reggie Jackson[8] and George Springer.

  1. ^ "All Decade Team: MLB". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on July 17, 2013. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
  2. ^ "Chase Utley". Fantasy Sports Hero. Archived from the original on January 3, 2009. Retrieved July 9, 2009.
  3. ^ Roberts, Kevin (October 23, 2008). "Quiet leader Utley swings big bat". Camden Courier-Post. Retrieved July 9, 2009.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ "Chase Utley: Dodgers' 'most powerful voice' a critical cog, even at 39". USA Today. Archived from the original on November 12, 2019. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
  5. ^ "Dodgers Rave About Chase Utley's Leadership « CBS Philly". October 9, 2017. Archived from the original on October 16, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  6. ^ "Dodgers have learned, 'you don't ever want to disappoint Chase'". October 7, 2017. Archived from the original on October 16, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  7. ^ "The Moments Chase Utley Realized Roy Halladay's Eminence - NBC 10 Philadelphia". Archived from the original on December 8, 2017. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  8. ^ a b "2009 World Series: Chase Utley saying little, except with his booming bat - MLB playoffs". Espn.com. November 2, 2009. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  9. ^ "Archives - Philly.com". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  10. ^ "Rich Westcott: Chase Utley will be missed by Phillies fans, and animal lovers, too". June 14, 2000. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  11. ^ "Ruben Tejada still hasn't forgiven Chase Utley for dirty slide". Sporting News. February 15, 2016. Retrieved October 13, 2022.