Chase Utley thanks Phillies fans in newspaper ad after trade to Dodgers
Less than a week after Chase Utley was traded from the Phillies to the Dodgers, he published a letter in The Philadelphia Inquirer thanking fans for their support.
“Thank you Philadelphia for taking me under your wing 12 years ago,” Utley wrote. “It has been an honor and a dream come true to play for a city with so much passion. I feel extremely lucky to have played for an organization with so many incredible people.”
Utley was traded to the Dodgers on Wednesday in exchange for utility player Darnell Sweeney and pitcher John Richy. The Dodgers, who are 1 1/2 games above the Giants for first place in the NL West, added Utley to assist in their playoff push. The Phillies are in last place in the NL East with a 50–74 record.
• JAFFE: Finally departing Phillies, Chase Utley returns to roots with Dodgers
This season, Utley is hitting .214 with 30 RBIs and five home runs. Since joining the Dodgers on Friday, Utley has gone 2 for 13 (.154 average) with two doubles in three games at the Astros' Minute Maid Park.
“Citizens Bank Park is like no other stadium,” he wrote to close the letter. “The support, encouragement and energy that all of you brought on a daily basis was empowering. We have had quite a ride together, and I will never forget 2008. WFC forever!”
Utley's letter appeared under a photo of him hoisting the 2008 World Series trophy above his head after the only World Series Philadelphia won while he played for the team.
- Erin Flynn
