The Philadelphia Phillies will welcome back many superstar players next season, including Bryce Harper and Zack Wheeler. However, longtime fans still have a deep appreciation for some of the franchise’s former stars.
While the team’s current leaders get ready for another attempt at winning a World Series title, key players from the Phillies’ 2008 championship team continue to be recognized for the impact they made on the organization.
The latest honor goes to former Phillies infielder Chase Utley, who was recently announced as the newest inductee into the team’s Wall of Fame.
“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.”
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.”
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.
