Chase Utley

Chase Utley: Phillies legend, six-time All-Star, and World Series champion.

Chase Cameron Utley (born December 17, 1978), nicknamed "the Man" and "Silver Fox," is an American former professional baseball second baseman who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 16 seasons, primarily for the Philadelphia Phillies. He also played for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is a six-time All-Star, won a World Series with the Phillies in 2008, and was chosen as the second baseman on the Sports Illustrated All-Decade Team for the 2000s. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed.

Quick Facts

Position: Second baseman
Born: 17 December 1978
Birthplace: Pasadena, California, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Debut league: MLB
Debut date: April 4
Debut year: 2003

Lore & Background

After becoming a permanent fixture as the Phillies' second baseman, Utley demonstrated versatility, spending some time at first base as well. As his fielding improved, he and shortstop Jimmy Rollins were regarded as one of the best middle-infield combinations in the NL until Rollins was traded to the Dodgers in the winter of 2014. Utley was considered by fans to be a team leader of the Phillies, alongside Rollins and Ryan Howard, and he was also noted for his leadership qualities with the Dodgers. Utley was known for his quiet understated demeanor, instead setting an example for teammates with his exhaustive preparation in the video room and the batting cage. He has been criticized by some as a "dirty" player, particularly for an overly aggressive baserunning style which included a 2015 incident where Utley intentionally slid into New York Mets shortstop Rubén Tejada, breaking his leg.

Reader's Guide

Utley's seven career World Series home runs are the most for a second baseman, and he shares the record of five home runs in a single World Series with Reggie Jackson and George Springer. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the first round (15th pick) of the 2000 amateur draft. He made his major league debut on April 4, 2003. He signed a 7-year, $85 million contract extension with the Phillies on January 21, 2007. He was a six-time All-Star and won a World Series with the Phillies in 2008.

Did You Know?

Utley's 35-game hitting streak in 2006 is the longest by a second baseman, tied with Luis Castillo.
He hit a grand slam for his first major league hit on April 24, 2003.
Utley turned down an $850,000 offer from the Dodgers after being drafted in 1997 to attend UCLA.