Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley never got a chance to really say goodbye to the fans of Philadelphia when he was traded by the Phillies to the Dodgers last summer. Neither did the fans. On Tuesday, about a year later, the two were reunited as Utley made his first appearance in Citizens Bank Park in a Dodgers uniform. The reception was as warm as they come.
Utley led off for the Dodgers, meaning the wait to offer a standing ovation to the greatest second baseman in Phillies history would not be a long one. As Utley stepped to the plate to get the game started, the Phillies played Utley’s signature walk-up theme — “Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin, the only walk-up music Utley ever used in Philadelphia — as Phillies public address announcer Dan Baker introduced Utley.
It is worth mentioning Baker typically is on the field for pregame announcements and makes his way up to his booth as the game starts, with someone else filling in for him with the player announcements until he gets back up to his spot. Given the occasion, the Phillies made the right call in having Baker stick around for Utley’s introduction. It should have been no other way.
Fans mobbed Chase Utley when he signed autographs pregame. Not since the Pope visited Philly has a dignitary been treated with such grace.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) August 16, 2016
If you have any question just how much Utley was beloved, and still is, in Philadelphia, what happened next may sum it up nicely.
The game started off with Phillies pitcher Vince Velasquez throwing a strike that Utley stood and watched pass by. On any other night a first-pitch strike would have been applauded by the home fans in attendance. Not on this night, however, as the fans booed the umpire for calling a strike on Utley. I cannot recall the last time a visiting player had a strike booed.
LOL! Umpire gets booed for calling a first pitch strike to Chase Utley. How much does this town love Utley? #PhilliesTalk #UtleyReturns
— Kevin McGuire (@KevinOnCFB) August 16, 2016
Utley also received a standing ovation…. during the pregame line-up announcements.
Chase Utley received a standing ovation during line up announcements
— Super Two Sports (@SuperTwo_Sports) August 16, 2016
Even the Dodgers had to tip their cap to Phillies fans.