As the Los Angeles Dodgers were in a tight National League West race as the regular season was winding down, it additionally marked the end of the road for Chase Utley.
Utley, 39, previously announced that the 2018 season would be his last as a player. The Pasadena native joined the Dodgers in a 2015 midseason trade with the Philadelphia Phillies and quickly became a revered member of the clubhouse, serving as a mentor for the likes of Kiké Hernandez and Corey Seager, among others.
Utley reflected on his time in Los Angeles and offered high praise for the organization as a whole, highlighting the respect that has been shown to him ever since his arrival three years ago, via Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times:
“They’ve really treated me with a lot of respect, even since I came over here,” Utley said. “Growing up a Dodgers fan, I appreciate what the organization has done over its history. We’ve had some really good teams, great talent, great leadership at the top. It’s been fun to play with them. If I’m an outsider looking in, I’ve got to be pretty proud of this group.”
While his production waned in recent seasons, Utley nevertheless maintained an important leadership role on the Dodgers. He was the recipient of the 13th annual Roy Campanella Award, which is given to the franchise’s player who best exemplifies the spirit and leadership of the late Hall-of-Fame catcher.
Needless to say, Utley is beloved by his teammates and Dodgers fans alike. That was evident when he received a standing ovation on Fan Appreciate Day at Dodger Stadium.
Over parts of four seasons with the Dodgers, Utley has compiled a .236/.315/.382 slash line across 1,245 plate appearances (385 games). He hopes to wrap up his illustrious career with one more postseason run, and perhaps, a fourth World Series appearance.
