One of the finer nuances Chase Utley perfected as his career wore on is the tendency, or willingness, to be hit by a pitch. Utley was recently hit for a 200th time in his career, and it was the 27th since being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Utley is the active leader in hit by pitches, with Texas Rangers outfielder Shin-Soo Choo a distant second with 123. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim first baseman Albert Pujols is next on the list with 102.
Overall, Utley ranks eighth all-time in hit by pitches. The leader, Hughie Jennings holds the record with 287. Though, Houston Astros Hall-of-Famer Craig Biggio is considered the holder of the modern record with 285 hit by pitches.
Utley nearly added another to his ledger in Sunday’s game against the Washington Nationals, but a pitch from Jeremy Hellickson somehow avoided his lower extremities.
Utley began to step across the plate as the pitch came towards him, then jumped and had the ball go between his legs.
Between the legs! pic.twitter.com/XoVEBhAKbe
— MLB (@MLB) April 23, 2018
While Utley has become a magnet of sorts for the baseball, he admitted to needing to learn not to naturally react and attempt to avoid one coming toward his legs. Comparatively, he’s long been much more comfortable turning his back or shoulder to absorb a pitch in that area.
More comically, Utley last season said he didn’t ‘dislike’ getting hit by pitches. But perhaps one of the more memorable moments came when New York Mets ace Noah Syndergaard buzzed Utley’s back and was ejected.
All the veteran outfielder did was respond by hitting a solo home run and a grand slam later in the game.
