Let's be real. He was nicknamed "The Man" for a reason. He was a cornerstone piece for the most successful stretch of baseball in Phillies history. Utley was second in WAR from 2005-09 trailing only Albert Pujols. On the biggest stage, he shined.
The numbers tell a story of a great second baseman who propelled a team to success. But it was much more about the man that made him so loved in Philadelphia. Words you hear when describing Utley are "grit", "heart", "hustle". The attitude he brought on the field made him a fan favorite.
Utley was a special kind of player - one that everyone aspired to play like. He played the game the way coaches want every one of their players to play.
He created special memories for Phillies fans everywhere and his departure, albeit inevitable, still generates bittersweet emotions. The Utley trade is pretty much the last move, save for Ryan Howard and Carlos Ruiz, to signal a changing of the guard for the Phillies franchise as they head towards the future.
Thank you, Chase. Thank you for everything.
-Steve Dolan
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