Utley to retire at seasons end | News, Sports, Jobs
LOS ANGELES — Chase Utley will retire from baseball at the end of this season, capping a 16-year career that included a World Series championship with Philadelphia and an elder-statesman role with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The six-time All-Star said he’s leaving to spend more time with his wife and two young sons.
Utley announced his decision at a jammed news conference in the basement of Dodger Stadium on Friday, with several of his teammates surprising him by crowding into the small, steamy room.
“I just want you guys to know that I’ve signed a five-year extension,” Utley deadpanned, drawing laughter from manager Dave Roberts, Kenley Jansen, Justin Turner, Alex Wood, Andrew Toles, Joc Pederson, Logan Forsythe and Ross Stripling.
Three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw sat on the floor in a corner, with Matt Kemp, Rich Hill, Corey Seager, Austin Barnes and Kenta Maeda joining him.
Pitching coach Rick Honeycutt looked on, while hitting coach Turner Ward used his phone to capture video. Yasiel Puig hung in the back, and 92-year-old Dodgers pitching great Don Newcombe listened in.
Utley has tried to avoid the kind of attention he got Friday for most of his career. He’s always preferred to let his play on the field speak for him, although among his teammates he is generous with his knowledge of the game. They in turn marvel at his physical condition.
Utility player Enrique Hernandez calls him “Grandpa.”
“He’s changed the way I see the game, he’s changed the way I eat, he’s changed the way I prepare in the offseason from now on and the way I prepare during the season every day,” Hernandez said. “From now on if I end up having a pretty successful career, whether he likes it or not, he’s going to have had something to do with it.”
The 2019 season would have been the final year of a $2 million, two-year contract for Utley.
“I’m no spring chicken. My hair is going gray. There’s a lot of things letting me know it’s time,” Utley said.
The 39-year-old second baseman made his name with the Phillies, earning five All-Star berths and winning four Silver Slugger awards. He — along with Maui’s Shane Victorino — helped the team to a World Series title in 2008, combining with shortstop Jimmy Rollins as a standout double-play duo.
Utley has a .276 career average with 259 home runs. He is renowned for his base-stealing ability, with 153 steals in 175 attempts. In 2006, he had 32 homers among his 203 hits, scored an NL-best 131 runs and finished seventh in the MVP voting.
The Phillies traded Utley to the Dodgers in August 2015, bringing him back to his roots. He was born in nearby Pasadena and played at Long Beach Poly High and UCLA.
The move forced him to transition into a role he described as a “part-time player.”
“I’m also a part-time strength coach, a part-time pitching coach, occasionally a part-time catching coach as well as a part-time general manager,” Utley said. “But the thing I’m having the most difficult time with is being a part-time dad. That’s really the reason I’m shutting it down because I’m ready to be a full-time dad.”
Utley said he has yet to tell his sons, 6-year-old Ben and 3-year-old Max.
“They’ve asked me a few times, ‘Dad, how much longer are you going to play? Why do you have to go to the field today?’ “ Utley said. “That conversation will come soon. I think it will be a good conversation.”
Utley has been influential in the clubhouse with the Dodgers’ young roster. But his role has been reduced from starter in 2016 to platoon player last year to part-time starter and pinch hitter this season.
Utley has started 30 of 57 games this season, hitting .237 with one homer and 14 RBIs.
“Probably the most well-respected guy in our clubhouse, just the way he treats people, his career, how consistent he’s been,” Roberts said.
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