PHILADELPHIA — Chase Utley is still the man in Philadelphia.<\/p>\n
A six-time All-Star and the second baseman on the 2008 World Series championship team, Utley can also call himself aPhillies<\/a>Wall of Famer.<\/p>\n Utley is the third member of that championship team to earn induction, and former teammate Jimmy Rollins greeted him during a star-studded celebration Friday night that included Hall of Famers Mike Schmidt and Steve Carlton with Utley’s Phillies Wall of Fame jersey.<\/p>\n Utley looked as comfortable giving a speech — no F-bombs this time like the one memorably dropped during his World Series parade speech<\/a> — in the jersey as he was when he wore it as one of the best second basemen in baseball and helped lead the Phillies to five straight National League East pennants from 2007 to 2011.<\/p>\n “You don’t really just play in Philly,” Utley said during his speech. “You survive it. You earn it. And if you’re lucky, you grow from it.”<\/p>\n He continued: “To me, this city is about passion. It’s about emotion. It’s about toughness. But most of all, it’s about winning. For 13 years, I tried to play the game that this city expects us to play: hard, honest, no shortcuts, no excuses. And you let me know every night whether I was doing my job.<\/p>\n “That’s what I love most about this city. Because in Philadelphia, you don’t get respect, you have to earn respect.”<\/p>\n His plaque now hangs in the left field plaza at Citizens Bank Park.<\/p>\n Might his No. 26 be next on the outfield concourse wall with other retired numbers such as Roy Halladay’s No 34 or Richie Ashburn’s No. 1?<\/p>\n “If no one wears my number any time soon, I’m fine with it,” Utley said in a news conference. “But if they want to, if somebody wants my number, good luck.”<\/p>\n Utley played 13 seasons in Philadelphia before he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers<\/a> in 2015. He retired in 2018 with a .275 average, .823 OPS and 1,885 hits.<\/p>\n No Phillie has worn No. 26 since Utley was traded. He is now special assistant to the president for the Dodgers.<\/p>\n The sweet-swinging Utley is perhaps the most popular player in franchise history. He was beloved for his hustle, heart and all-out attitude. Fans fell in love with Utley from the moment he ran — not jogged — around the bases after hitting a grand slam for his first hit in the majors. Their affection for Utley grew legendary after he scored from second base on an infield grounder, and Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas declared: “Chase Utley, you are the man.”<\/a><\/p>\n “We used to joke he ran angry out there,” Wall of Fame outfielder Pat Burrell said with a laugh during his introduction speech.<\/p>\n He added: “And I’m not 100% sure here, but he may be responsible for an MLB rule change regarding contact plays.”<\/p>\n Former teammate Ryan Howard unveiled the Wall of Fame plaque, team owner John Middleton presented Utley with his ring and actor Rob Mac– whose “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” character simply wanted to have a catch with Utley — handed him a replica of the plaque.<\/p>\n With the Phillies induction done, Utley is aware another one potentially looms in Cooperstown. Utley appears on track for Hall of Fame induction after he received 59.1% of the vote in his third year on the ballot, up from the 39.8% he received the previous ballot. Players are required to receive 75% of the votes for induction.<\/p>\n “You can’t not pay attention to it once you’re in the conversation,” Utley said. “Obviously, I’m honored that I’m part of that conversation. I had a great time here. I had some incredible teammates that definitely made me a better player, and I love that I’m part of the conversation. I guess we’ll see what happens.”<\/p>\n There was one more Utley touch in his honor for the night.<\/p>\n The Phillies ditched their usual Friday night City Connect uniforms for their traditional home pinstripes.<\/p>\n