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Reminiscing 3 Phillies legends’ 2019 retirement ceremonies

By Nikki Davidson |
Shortstop Jimmy Rollins #11 of the Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Shortstop Jimmy Rollins #11 of the Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
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Last season, it was surely special to see not one or two, but three retirement ceremonies of 2008 World Series champion Phillies legends.

During the summer of 2019, the summer we didn’t know to cherish so much as a “normal” season, three Phillies greats had their retirement ceremonies — Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, and Ryan Howard.

We didn’t know it at the time but getting together at the ballpark would only be things dreams are made of — literally, dreams — this 2020 season. Being able to call up your friends and/or family to go watch a game at a ballpark of your choosing is currently only something in our distant memories.

Getting to attend possibly one of your favorite players’ retirement ceremonies, or at least a beloved player of your favorite team’s retirement ceremony, is something special — being able to be in that ballpark with them at that moment, sharing it with their friends and family.

One more run onto the field while the crowd roars for them, only for them, as they celebrate their career. It is a big moment at the end of their playing career that they will remember forever.

Some players may go on to take on a manager role with a team, whether it may be the skipper, bench coach, or pitching coach. Maybe they’ll even take on a different role in an organization such as an advisor, ambassador, or another front-office role. Some even become a broadcaster or commentator. For a lot of players, though, that may be the last time they step foot on a baseball field.

Here’s a look back at three Phillies greats who had their retirement ceremonies in the summer of 2019.

Jimmy Rollins of the Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Rich Pilling/MLB via Getty Images)
Jimmy Rollins of the Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Rich Pilling/MLB via Getty Images) /

Jimmy Rollins

The longtime leadoff hitter, Jimmy Rollins, was first up for retirement ceremonies this past year.

Drafted by the Phillies in the second round of the Major League Baseball draft in 1996, Rollins was 46th overall.

Jimmy, nicknamed J-Roll, began his minor league baseball career with the Martinsville Phillies which was a rookie-league team in the Phillies organization. With a low batting average and at the age of 18, he got promoted to the Phillies’ low-A affiliate, the Piedmont Boll Weevils in 1997. In 1998, he earned a spot on the Phillies’ high-A affiliate, the Clearwater Threshers. The next year, 1999, Rollins was promoted to the Phillies’ Double-A Reading  affiliate and late in the season was promoted to their then-Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre affiliate.

Jimmy was called up to the Phillies ballclub in 2000 during the September call-ups, making his Major League Baseball debut on September 17, 2000. He played with the Phillies from the years 2000-2014, then the Los Angeles Dodgers for 2015 and the Chicago White Sox for 2016. He retired as a Phillie.

During J-Roll’s career, he received many awards and recognitions, including National League All-Star in 2001, 2002 and 2005; National League MVP in 2007; Silver Slugger Award in 2007; Gold Glove Award in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2012; Roberto Clemente Award in 2014; World Series Champion in 2008, and more.

Rollins had 470 stolen bases, 231 home runs, 936 RBI, an average of .264, an on-base percentage of .324 across 9,294 at-bats on his career.

Jimmy holds the Phillies’ club record for their longest hitting streak of 38 games and not so surprisingly, is also the all-time hits leader.

His retirement ceremony was held on May 4, 2019, at Citizens Bank Park. After a beautiful ceremony, Rollins decided he was going to leave the field his way. He donned a glove, put on his Phillies jersey and cap, and took the field at short for one final time. After Jean Segura ran out to Jimmy and hugged a few players on his way out, Jimmy tipped his cap and headed to the dugout.

What a way to retire for such a great guy and a great player.

Next up, we have beloved second baseman Chase Utley.

Chase Utley #26 of the Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
Chase Utley #26 of the Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) /

Chase Utley

Following J-Roll, we have the Silver Fox, Chase Utley.

Chase was drafted by the Phillies in the first round of the 2000 Major League Baseball draft, picked 15th overall.

He began his minor league baseball career with the Phillies’ Class-A short-season affiliate, the Batavia Muckdogs. Utley was then promoted in 2001 to the Phillies’ Class-A Advanced affiliate, the Clearwater Threshers. Earning a promotion again, he played with the Phillies’ AAA affiliate in 2002 and 2003, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons.

Utley made his Major League Baseball debut April 4, 2003, and made his first start on April 24, 2003. Believe it or not, his first MLB hit came on the same day as his debut and it was a grand slam. Chase played with the Phillies from the years 2003-2015 and then with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2015-2018. He retired as a Phillie.

https://twitter.com/noworneverespn/status/1287024937337868288

During his career, Utley received many awards and recognitions as well, including participation in the Home Run Derby in 2008; National League All-Star in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2014; Silver Slugger Award in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009; World Series Champion in 2008, and more.

Chase had 154 stolen bases, 259 home runs, 1,025 RBI, an average of .275, an on-base percentage of .358 across 6,857 at-bats on his career.

His retirement ceremony was held on June 21, 2019, at Citizens Bank Park. As Rollins did, Utley also took the field at his position one final time. He put on his jersey and ran on out to second base as the song “Kashmir” played to a sold-out crowd. His ceremony also included having a catch with actor Rob McElhenney.

For those who don’t know, Rob is on the show called It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and plays the character named Mac. His character wanted to have a catch with Chase and it happened. Pretty cool in the realm of retirement ceremonies, if I do say so myself.

Last but not least, let’s talk about The Big Piece.

Ryan Howard #6 of the Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Ryan Howard #6 of the Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Ryan Howard

Last but not least, we have Ryan Howard, or the “Big Piece” as he is nicknamed.

Howard was drafted by the Phillies in 2001 in the 5th round of the major league baseball draft, picked 140th overall.

Like Chase, Ryan also began his minor league baseball career with the Phillies’ Class-A short-season affiliate, the Batavia Muckdogs. He then played with the Phillies’ Class-A affiliate, Lakewood BlueClaws, in 2002 followed by the Phillies’ Class-A Advanced affiliate, the Clearwater Threshers in 2003 followed by the Phillies’ Double-A affiliate, the Reading Phillies, and then the Phillies’ Triple-A affiliate, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons, both in 2004.

Howard made his Major League Baseball debut on September 1, 2004, during the September call-ups. He played his whole MLB career with the Phillies, spanning from the years 2004-2016. Not a lot of players can say they were with the same ballclub throughout their whole career.

Speaking of The Big Piece’s great career, he too has received many awards and recognitions, including National League Rookie of the Year in 2005; National League MVP in 2006; Silver Slugger Award in 2006; Home Run Derby winner in 2006; National League All-Star in 2006, 2009 and 2010; NLCS MVP in 2009; World Series Champion in 2008, and more.

Ryan had 12 stolen bases, 382 home runs, 1,194 RBI, an average of .258, an on-base percentage of .343 across 5,707 at-bats on his career.

His retirement ceremony was held on July 14, 2019, at Citizens Bank Park. Another pop culture reference, actor B.J. Novak played a character on a show called The Office named Ryan Howard. B.J. was among the video messages that the Phillies’ Ryan Howard got to see as part of his ceremony. Other video messages came from Ken Griffey Jr. and Mike Trout. Ryan also got his glove, put on his jersey, and went back out to first base for one final time before the game that day, hugged Rhys Hoskins, put up a thumbs up to the applauding crowd, and walked back to the dugout.

Part of Howard’s speech? “[expletive] it, they’re trying,” Howard said, and then continued: “…Don’t ever boo these men. I’m out.”

Does anyone else picture a mic drop after that statement?

Sometimes a trip down memory lane, remembering the days when players like these graced the fields, TV screens, and app notifications are just what I need. Maybe it was what you needed, too.

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