

Chase Utley was drafted in the second round of the 1997 MLB June Amateur Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers but turned down their offer to attend UCLA. Three years later he was selected 15th overall in the 2000 MLB June Amateur Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies, where he became one of the franchise’s greatest players over his 12 and a half seasons in red and white.

It all came full circle for Utley in 2015 as he was traded to the Dodgers during the season and that’s where he’s been ever since.

On Friday evening, the 39-year-old called a press conference to let everyone know he will officially announce his retirement at the end of this season. Since it was a big moment for the six-time MLB All-Star, he had more than just the usual media taking in his press conference.



The entire Dodger team is here for Chase Utley’s press conference. Never seen a more admired player. — Joe Davis (@Joe_Davis) July 13, 2018 The Chase Utley press conference is in the Dodgers media room which was not equipped for reporters plus 25 Dodgers players pic.twitter.com/5D2GSHL5Em — Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) July 13, 2018 Everybody loves Utley. pic.twitter.com/eOChJSma5u — Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) July 13, 2018

Utley has only played 356 of his 1,907 career games in a Dodgers uniform but he’s made a huge influence on the guys around him during his limited time in LA.



The Pasadena, California native has played 57 games this year and has just one home run and 14 RBI to go along with a .231 batting average and a .313 OBP.



The Dodgers are thrilled to be part of the final chapter of Chase Utley’s remarkable career. His work is not done yet, as he seeks to help the Dodgers bring a World Series title to LA in 2018! pic.twitter.com/dHPmAadXKK — Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 13, 2018

(H/T For The Win)