:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62734183/usa_today_11307408.0.jpg)
While it was not the ultimate storybook finish, Chase Utley did retire on his terms in 2018.
Utley announced his retirement on Friday July 13, 2018 at a press conference at Dodger Stadium. Eric Stephen reported on that press conference here.
According to Utley, he said he came to terms with the decision back in June, and then he told the team of his decision during a team meeting on Thursday July 12th in San Diego.
“Chase did it in an uncharacteristic, uncomfortable way for him,” manager Dave Roberts said. “But I think it was the right thing to do. He’s got some peace, and he’s looking forward to help us win baseball games.”
What went right
Chase Utley had a great pinch-hitting season for the Dodgers. In 43 plate appearances as a pinch-hitter, he went .342/.419/.474.
What went wrong
Utley went 0-for-18 in September with one stolen base, three walks and a hit-by-pitch.
2018 particulars
Age: Forever young and silvery
Stats: Chase Utley had five hit-by-pitches. He became the eighth player to go over 200 hit-by-pitches in his career. Utley is the all-the-time left-handed batter leader in that category.
Game of the year
On April 28th, Chase Utley did something he had never done in his career. Utley had four hits and scored four runs against the San Francisco Giants. The Dodgers would win 15-6 to take the first game of the doubleheader.
Utley also hit three doubles in that game. It was the second time in his career he had done that. The first time was on September 1, 2010 when the then Philadelphia Phillie hit three doubles against the Dodgers.
Roster status
Today, the Dodgers gave Chase Utley his unconditional release so as to facilitate his official retirement.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) November 10, 2018
Reportedly Utley will work for the Dodger front office in some capacity though that has not been officially acknowledged by either the team nor Utley at this time.