PHILADELPHIA (WTXF/AP) - The Chase Utley retirement tour is underway. On Monday, former Phillies second baseman Chase Utley started his final regular-season series in Philadelphia, where he helped the Phillies win the 2008 World Series. Monday's game will be the first of a three-game series.
Utley announced earlier this month that he will retire at the end of the season, capping a 16-year career. "The Man," as he is often referred to in Philadelphia, said he's leaving to spend more time with his wife and two young sons.
Utley announced his decision at a jammed news conference at Dodger Stadium, with several of his teammates surprising him by crowding into the small room.
The 39-year-old made his name with the Phillies, earning five All-Star berths and winning four Silver Slugger awards before a trade to the Dodgers in August 2015 brought him back to his roots. He was born in nearby Pasadena and played at Long Beach Poly High and UCLA.
Utley has 259 career homers with a .276 average and 1,880 hits, though he'll likely get some Hall of Fame support from voters inclined toward advanced analytics.