PHILADELPHIA — Chase Utley was inducted into the Phillies Wall of Fame during a ceremony on Friday night at Citizens Bank Park. The event honored the former second baseman for his contributions to the franchise, including a World Series title in 2008.

Utley is the third member of the 2008 World Series championship team to be inducted into the Phillies Wall of Fame. Former teammate Jimmy Rollins greeted Utley during the induction ceremony, while Ryan Howard unveiled Utley's Wall of Fame plaque. Team owner John Middleton presented Utley with his World Series ring, and actor Rob Mac handed him a replica of the Wall of Fame plaque.

The Philadelphia Phillies wore their traditional home pinstripes instead of their usual Friday night City Connect uniforms for the ceremony. Bryce Harper suggested the uniform change for the ceremony. Hall of Famers Mike Schmidt and Steve Carlton attended the induction ceremony. Dave, Terrell, and Taylor Utley attended the induction ceremony at Citizens Bank Park.

"I've had plenty of time now since I've stopped playing to reflect on how this was such an amazing time, not only for me but my family and the team, the coaches, everyone within this organization," Utley said. "It was an incredible time to be a Philadelphia Phillie."

Pat Burrell, a Wall of Fame outfielder, spoke during the introduction speech. "We used to joke he ran angry out there," Burrell said. Broadcaster Harry Kalas declared Chase Utley, you are the man after Utley scored from second base on an infield grounder, a phrase that became associated with the player.

Utley played 13 seasons for the Philadelphia Phillies before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2015. No Philadelphia Phillies player has worn jersey number 26 since Utley was traded in 2015. "If no one wears my number any time soon, I'm fine with it," Utley said. "But if they want to, if somebody wants my number, good luck."

Utley retired in 2018 with a.275 batting average, 823 OPS, and 1,885 hits. He currently serves as special assistant to the president for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is a six-time All-Star, having been named to the National League All-Star team in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011.

Utley helped lead the Philadelphia Phillies to five straight NL East pennants from 2007 to 2011. The Philadelphia Phillies won a team-record 102 games in the 2011 season. Utley debuted with the Philadelphia Phillies in April 2003 at Veterans Stadium, where he hit a grand slam for his first major league hit. Utley is from Long Beach, California.

Utley was selected in the second round of the 1997 MLB draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Los Angeles Dodgers offered Utley close to $1 million in 1997. Dave Utley handled negotiations with the Los Angeles Dodgers with assistance from agent Arn Tellem.

Utley accepted a baseball scholarship to UCLA instead of signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Utley considered attending the University of Oklahoma or UCLA for college. Utley became an All-American at UCLA.

Utley was a first-round draft pick of the Philadelphia Phillies in 2000. Freddie Mitchell introduced Utley to Jen Cooper while they were teammates at UCLA. Utley and Cooper married in 2007.

Utley and Cooper have two sons. Utley has 204 career hit-by-pitches. Utley broke his wrist in 2007 after being hit by a pitch.

Utley suffered from patellar tendinitis in his right knee during spring training 2011. Utley's condition was publicly described as "leg soreness" at his insistence. Utley missed the first 46 games of the 2011 season.

Utley missed time in the 2012 season due to patellar tendinitis in his left knee. Physical therapist Brett Fischer helped Utley align his knees. Phillies athletic trainer Scott Sheridan oversaw a daily maintenance plan for Utley. Utley suffered from chronic knee issues throughout his career, including patellar tendinitis, which eventually led to his retirement in 2018.

Utley received a percentage of the vote in his third year on the Hall of Fame ballot. In the previous Hall of Fame ballot, he received a lower percentage. Players are required to receive 75% of the votes for induction into the Hall of Fame. Utley's plaque is located in the left field plaza at Citizens Bank Park.

Why It Matters

Utley becomes the third member of the 2008 World Series championship team to join the Phillies Wall of Fame, cementing the legacy of that specific roster. His induction occurs while he remains in the conversation for the National Baseball Hall of Fame, where he needs to increase his vote percentage to reach the required 75%. The ceremony also marks the continued absence of his jersey number 26, which no player has worn since his 2015 trade.