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LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 13: Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Chase Utley (26) looks on during a MLB game between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 13, 2018 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Philadelphia Phillies have a long list of superstar players returning for next season, from Bryce Harper to Zack Wheeler, but fans of the franchise hold a special place for some of their predecessors.
As the team’s incumbent stars prepare to take at least one more shot at a World Series title, the leading members of the team’s 2008 championship roster continue to celebrate their lasting legacies.
Most recently, that meant a “Wall of Fame” announcement for former Phillies infielder Chase Utley.
“The Phillies are inducting Chase Utley, considered the greatest second baseman in the franchise’s history, into their Wall of Fame this summer — a potential precursor to a greater honor for Utley, the National Baseball Hall of Fame,” Matt Gelb reported for The Athletic. “One of the most popular players in Philadelphia history, Utley spent 13 seasons with the Phillies.”
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Philadelphia Phillies Legend Chase Utley Rejects Offer To Return To Team
Utley enjoyed six All-Star appearances and four Silver Slugger Awards in his time with the Phillies, which included the franchise’s most recent championship title as well. But after his time with the Phillies was done, Utley joined the Los Angeles Dodgers for four seasons to end his career.
And now, Utley, who is a native of Southern California, has returned to the Dodgers despite a job offer from the Phillies.
Following his playing career, Utley moved to England to serve in an ambassadorial role for Major League Baseball. Returning from Europe, he has taken a front office position with the Dodgers even though the Phillies wanted him back.
“The Utleys are back from England, back to living in the Los Angeles area, where Chase grew up and went to college,” Scott Lauber reported for The Philadelphia Inquirer. “The Phillies wanted to find a role for him. Instead, he took a job with the Dodgers: special assistant to president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman.”
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Philadelphia Phillies Wall Of Fame Player Chase Utley Describes Role With Los Angeles Dodgers
The exact nature of Utley’s role with the reigning World Series champion wasn’t clear, but he did emphasize that it gives him a chance to balance work and family.
“It’s giving back to the game a little bit, trying to help them in whatever aspect is possible,” Utley said of his job with the Dodgers, per Lauber. “I get to sleep in my own bed every night, so that’s nice.”
And it seems that, ultimately, he wants to make his home in the region where he grew up rather than in the Philadelphia area where he enjoyed the best seasons of his playing career.
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