Phillies: Top five moments of Chase Utley’s career

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 21: Chase Utley #26 of the Philadelphia Phillies watches his throw to first as he jumps over Matt Kemp #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning at Dodger Stadium on April 21, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 21: Chase Utley #26 of the Philadelphia Phillies watches his throw to first as he jumps over Matt Kemp #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning at Dodger Stadium on April 21, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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2008 World Series Game five defensive gem

Throughout the prime of his career, Utley was the best hitting second baseman in the league. While defense was admittedly an area Utley had to work the hardest at, his grit, instincts and pure desire made him more than adequate defensively. In fact, one of his top moments could have saved the 2008 World series.

After a two day suspension of Game 5 due to cold, heavy rain, the Phillies and the Rays were tied at 3 in the seventh. With two outs, the Rays’ Jason Bartlett was on second base.  Utley ran hard to field a ground ball at the edge of the infield. With no chance for the out at first, Utley fakes the throw, prompting Bartlett to try to score. Throwing on the run to catcher Carlos Ruiz, he nails Bartlett at the plate to preserve the tie.

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As we all know, the Phillies went on to win Game 5 and the first World Series since 1980 and only the second in franchise history. Without that play, the Phillies may have lost the game and who knows what transpires the rest of the series.