Phillies 2015 Christmas: Naughty or Nice?
By Matt Veasey
Aug 12, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA;
Philadelphia Phillies infielder Utley reacts as he watches from the dugout in the fourth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.
(Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
CHASE UTLEY: “NAUGHTY”
For the first time in his illustrious career, ‘The Man’ finds himself on Santa Claus’ “Naughty” list. Oh, how the mighty have fallen. But the fact is that Chase Utley simply did not perform this season as a player with either the Phillies or the Dodgers. He hit for an ugly combined .212/.286/.343 slash line in 423 plate appearances, with eight homers, 39 RBI, 37 runs scored, and four steals.
Chase turned 37 years old last week, and is clearly a shadow of the player who dominated the 2nd base position for the five years from 2005-09. To cap it all off this year, you had the whole “hard slide” drama that exploded in the NLDS between the Dodgers and New York Mets. He will end up on the Phillies Wall of Fame, and some will fight for his Baseball Hall of Fame induction. But for this year, he gets coal.