One of the key factors in the success of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the 2015 season was their balance of savvy veterans alongside a group of talented young players.
Coming into the season the team had players such as Adrian Gonzalez, Howie Kendrick and Jimmy Rollins leading the club house as rookies Joc Pederson, Kiké Hernandez, and eventually Corey Seager all continued to grow into larger roles and contribute.
Along the way the front office also added to the list of veterans by trading for long-time Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley. The 36 year old was brought on after Kendrick suffered a hamstring strain that forced him on the disabled list.
Utley’s time with the Dodgers last season will primarily be remembered for his hard slide into second base that broke the leg of New York Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada in Game 2 of the National League Division Series.
The controversial play provided an emotional boost for the Dodgers, but also resulted in Utley getting suspended two games. However, Utley appealed and was still eligible to play throughout the NLDS.
With the season over, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports has an expected date for when the appeal hearing will take place for Utley:
The Chase Utley hearing may not be scheduled until spring training.
Utley was attempting to break up a double play when he upended Tejada and ended the 26-year-old’s postseason. The Dodgers’ infielder faced plenty of vitriol from Mets fans in Games 3 and 4, though despite appealing the suspension to remain eligible, didn’t play in either of the two games.
Utley’s lone appearance post-slide came as a pinch-hitter in Game 5. The Dodgers declined their club option Utley’s contract. His agent previously remarked the 36 year old (37 on Dec. 17) intends to play next season.
