HOUSTON — Chase Utley broached the expected topics upon his return to his hometown team, discussing the frequency with which he expects his parents to make the drive from Long Beach to watch him play at Dodger Stadium, and the interesting turn of events that led him back to the Dodgers, who drafted Utley in the second round of the 1997 amateur draft only for the veteran to opt for a brilliant college career at UCLA.
But what resonated most as Utley addressed the media for the first time in a Dodgers uniform was his desire to win. He qualified for the postseason five consecutive years (2007-11) with the Phillies, winning the World Series in 2008. But lean seasons have followed, and with the Phillies sporting the worst record in baseball, Utley opted to move on from the franchise that developed him into one of the best second basemen of his generation.
“There’s no better baseball than playoff atmosphere baseball,” Utley said. “And we experienced that in Philadelphia for a number of years. It’s fun to be a part of. There’s a little bit of stress but most of all it’s about winning ballgames.”
Utley served as the designated hitter and hit second in the lineup for the Dodgers in his debut and will fill the void at second base with Howie Kendrick on the 15-day disabled list (left hamstring). Utley will also work at third base to prepare for Kendrick’s return, but with Justin Turner entrenched at the hot corner, Dodgers brass haven’t worked out all the details regarding Utley and his potential playing time.
But the Dodgers are in first place in the National League West and are in pursuit of a World Series title. Winning, and coming home, will likely solve any potential issues for Utley and the Dodgers down the road.
“I grew up a Dodgers fan,” said Utley, who acknowledged Steve Sax, Brett Butler and Kirk Gibson as childhood Dodgers favorites and his attendance at Game 2 of the 1988 World Series won by Los Angeles. “I grew up in the LA area. This is pretty cool wearing blue, obviously a little bit different. It hasn’t quite sunk in yet but I assume that it will.”