By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor
With the Los Angeles Dodgers on the brink of elimination — down three games to one in the World Series against the Boston Red Sox — soon-to-be retired Chase Utley is taking in the final moments of his professional career.
A Red Sox win Sunday evening opposite future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw would mark the final chapter of Utley's 16-year career. Of course, Utley hopes the series extends back to Fenway Park, but in the meantime, he continues to field grounders and take batting practice, albeit while inactive on the Dodgers postseason roster.
It might be the last day of his career. And he’s not even on this #Dodgers roster. But Chase Utley is still taking ground balls in BP. Because of course he is! pic.twitter.com/CDTFf5WcMU
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) October 28, 2018
Since I seem to be chronicling this day in the life, this might have been the last BP round of Chase Utley’s career. I think it’s safe to say he never wasted a swing. pic.twitter.com/Lg5iTnlfpm
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) October 28, 2018
Utley, 39, is a six-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and 2008 World Series champion. In 1,937 career regular season games, the Pasadena, California, native slugged 411 doubles, 259 home runs and 1,025 RBI, while slashing .275/.358/.465.
Read: Chase Utley: Philadelphia Has ‘Some of the Best Fans in the World’
In addition, Utley has the second-most home runs in Phillies franchise history, 10, having played with the club for 12-plus seasons from 2003 to 2015.
If Sunday in fact marks the end of Utley's career, he will be forever remembered as a genuine player and leader who always gave his all.