Chase Utley Makes Incredible Behind the Back Play
While he’s turned in his red pinstripes for Dodgers blue, Chase Utley still garners a mass-following from Phillies fans.
In the fourth inning of the Dodgers game against the Colorado Rockies, Utley showed why he’s a candidate for his first (!!!) Gold Glove award.
With Rockies pitcher Tyler Chatwood batting, Utley bobbled a ball that ricocheted off either the Dodgers pitcher or the pitching mound. After failing to initially recover and now on his stomach, Utley flipped the ball backhanded to first baseman Adrian Gonzalez for the out.
While “The Man” didn’t actually use his glove on this play, it’s absolutely incredible for someone his age to do night in and night out.
While it may have been a pitcher running and any other player could have beaten that ball out, the defense of Chase Utley is still off the charts.
More from That Balls Outta Here
- How will Rob Thomson manage the Philadelphia Phillies bullpen in 2023?
- How Phillies’ Ranger Suárez is set to build on 2022 postseason dominance
- What can Philadelphia Phillies expect from Bryson Stott in 2023?
- 3 Reasons to get excited for Phillies’ Craig Kimbrel signing
- 11 Free-agent deals the Philadelphia Phillies wish fell through
This play could possibly go down in the top 10 Chase Utley plays at second of all time. Unfortunately, it will be impossible to narrow down just 10 plays to make any kind of Utley/defensive play top 10.
Chase Utley went 1-2 as the leadoff hitter for the Dodgers Thursday night with a walk and strikeout. Utley was later removed in the seventh inning in favor of a pinch hitter.
In 130 games this season, Chase Utley is hitting .253 with 12 home runs and an OPS of .706.
The Dodgers would go on to win 7-4 over the Rockies Thursday, and now have a six game lead over the San Francisco Giants in the National League West.