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Philadelphia Phillies: Chase Utley announcing retirement brings back memories

By Dan Parzych

PHILADELPHIA - APRIL 08: Chase Utley #26 of the Philadelphia Phillies accepts his World Series ring during a ceremony prior to the game against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park on April 8, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA - APRIL 08: Chase Utley #26 of the Philadelphia Phillies accepts his World Series ring during a ceremony prior to the game against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park on April 8, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) /
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With Chase Utley announcing his plans to retire at the end of the season, Philadelphia Phillies fans will always consider him one of the all-time greats.

As the Philadelphia Phillies continue to hang on to their slim lead in the NL East over the Atlanta Braves, fans in the City of Brotherly Love along with the rest of baseball were somewhat surprised to hear the news surrounding Chase Utley on Friday.

The potential future Hall of Famer second baseman held a press conference on Friday to announce his plans to retire at the end of the 2018 season after 16 amazing years, with most of the time spent in Philadelphia.

Every Phillies fan knows just how valuable Utley was to the organization before the team decided to trade him to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2015 to give him an opportunity to play for a contender while Philadelphia was going through a bit of a rebuilding period.

But even as a member of the Dodgers over the last couple of years, Utley has still been one of the favorites among the fan base, and rightfully so when looking at all of the accomplishments.

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From winning five NL East titles in a row from 2007-2011 to playing a key role in helping the Phillies bring the city a World Series win in 2018, fans have a lot to be thankful for when it comes to Utley.

Seeing the veteran announce his retirement at season’s end may have been difficult to hear, but also Phillies fans knew it was coming since Utley wasn’t getting any younger since he’s turning 40 in December.

Only time will tell when it comes to whether Utley will end his career on a high note if the Dodgers win the World Series, but also it’s hard not to consider the possibility of him facing his former team in the playoffs.

Yes, there is still plenty of baseball remaining since it’s only July, but when seeing how well Philadelphia and Los Angeles are playing at the moment, it could very well happen.

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If it doesn’t happen, at least Phillies fans will get to send off Utley one final team when the Dodgers come to town later this month. The 2008 team will always hold a special place in the hearts of Philadelphia fans, and hearing the news of Utley’s retirement brings back the amazing memories from that incredible run since it was one of the greatest moments in the city’s history.

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