Reminiscing 3 Phillies legends’ 2019 retirement ceremonies
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.