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'''Chase Cameron Utley''' (born [[December 17]], [[1978]] in [[Pasadena, California]]) is a [[second baseman]] for the [[Philadelphia Phillies]],. whoUtley hasgraduated emerged as one of the best players infrom [[Major League Baseball]]. Utley attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School]] and waslater aattended standout second baseman for the University of California, Los Angeles ([[University of California, Los Angeles|UCLA]])., In 2000where he wasplayed namedsecond thebase Outstanding Player offor the [[NCAAUCLA Bruins|Bruins]] Regional held in Oklahoma City and was the Phillies' 1st selection (15th overall) in the June draft. He is a home-grown product of the Phillies' farm system, that is having played with theIn [[Batavia Muckdogs2000]], (A-shortUtley season)was in 2000,named the ClearwaterOutstanding PhilliesPlayer (A,of nowthe [[ClearwaterNCAA Threshers]])Division inI 2001,Baseball andChampionship|NCAA the [[Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red BaronsRegionals]] (AAA)and inthat 2002-3. He made his major league debut in April ofsame 2003year, abecame singlethe pinchPhillies’ at-batfirst beforepick being(15th returnedoverall) to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre forin the 2003June seasondraft.
While in the minor leagues, Utley spent most of his time playing at his natural position, second base; however, the Phillies organization tried to convert him to a third baseman in order to bring him through the system faster. He played most of the [[2002 in baseball|2002]] season at third base, but returned to second during [[2003 in baseball|2003]] spring training. Utley's first major league hit came during his first recall of 2003, in April. His first start came on the 24th and his first hit was a [[grand slam (baseball)|grand slam]]. He was recalled by the Phillies again in August of 2003, replacing INF [[Placido Polanco]] at second base (Polanco was moved to third to compensate for the loss of 3B [[David Bell (baseball)|David Bell]] to the disabled list). Utley recorded the final at-bat at [[Veterans Stadium]], grounding into a game ending Double Play on [[September 28]], [[2003]].
He is a homegrown product of the Phillies' [[farm team|farm system]], having played with the [[Batavia Muckdogs]] (A-Short Season) in 2000, the [[Clearwater Theshers|Clearwater Phillies]] (A, now the Clearwater Threshers) in [[2001]], and the [[Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons]] (AAA) in 2002-03. Although Utley mainly played second base during his time in the minor leagues, the Phillies organization attempted to convert him into a [[third baseman]] in order to bring him through the system faster. Consequently, he spend most of the [[2002 in baseball|2002 season]] at third base, returning to second at [[spring training]] in [[2003]].
Since coming to the Major Leagues as a permanent fixture on the Phillies roster, Utley has established himself as a versatile player. During interleague play, Utley has at times played stints at first base to give former teammate [[Jim Thome]] and current [[first baseman]] [[Ryan Howard]] a rest from fielding and allow them to play at the [[designated hitter]] spot. Utley platooned with Placido Polanco at second base during the beginning of the [[2005 in baseball|2005 season]]. It eventually became clear that Utley was the future full-time [[second baseman]] for the Phillies and in June of 2005, the Phillies traded Polanco to the [[Detroit Tigers]] for RP [[Ugueth Urbina]] and INF [[Ramón Martínez (baseball infielder)|Ramón Martínez]]. Since beginning to play second base as a full-time starter, Utley has established himself as one of the best hitting second basemen in the National League. Utley also established his speed, stealing 16 bases in the 2005 season. His fielding has also greatly improved, and the combination of SS [[Jimmy Rollins]] and Utley is considered to be one of the best middle infields in the National League. Because of his youth and strong personality, Utley is considered by many fans to be one of the future leaders of the team, along with Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins. ▼
He made his major league debut in [[April]] 2003 with a single pinch at-bat, a grand slam, before being returned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for the rest of the season. He was recalled by the Phillies again in [[August]] [[2003]] to replace [[Plácido Polanco]] at second base. (Polanco was moved to third to compensate for the loss of third baseman [[David Bell]] to the [[disabled list]].) Utley recorded the final at-bat at [[Veterans Stadium]] by grounding into a game-ending [[double play]] on [[September 28]], 2003.
Utley was a member of [[USA Baseball|Team USA]] in the [[2006 World Baseball Classic]], and was selected by the fans as the starting [[National League]] 2nd baseman for the [[2006 Major League Baseball All-Star Game]] at [[PNC Park]] in [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania|Pittsburgh]]. ▼
▲Since coming to the Major Leagues asbecoming a permanent fixture onto the Phillies roster, Utley has establisheddemonstrated himselfversatility as a versatile player. DuringFor example, during [[interleague play ]], Utley has atsometimes timescovered played stints at[[first baseman|first base ]] to give former teammate [[Jim Thome]] and current [[first baseman ]] [[Ryan Howard]] a rest from fielding andor to allow them to play atfulfill the role of [[designated hitter]] spot. Utley platooned with Placido Polanco at second base during the beginningstart of the [[2005 in baseball|2005 season]] ., Itwhereupon eventuallyit becamewas clearbecoming evident to management that Utley was the team’s future full-time [[second baseman ]]. for the Phillies and inIn [[June of]] 2005, the Phillies traded Polanco to the [[Detroit Tigers]] for RP[[infielder]] [[Ugueth Urbina]] and INF [[ Ramónrelief Martínezpitcher|reliever]] (baseball infielder)|[[Ramón Martínez]]. Since beginning to play second base asAs a full-time starter, Utley has established himself as one of the best -hitting second basemen in the [[National League ]]. UtleyHe has also establishedproven his speed , by [[stolen base|stealing ]] 16 bases in the 2005 season. HisAs his fielding has also greatly improved, andUtley theis seen in combination ofwith SS[[shortstop]] [[Jimmy Rollins]] and Utley is considered to beas one of the bestbetter middle infields in the National LeagueNL. BecauseDue ofto hisUtley’s youth and strong personality, Utleyhe is also considered by many fans to be one of the future leaders of the team, along withalongside Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins.
Utley had a 35-game [[hitting streak]] during the [[2006 in baseball|2006]] season. It was the second-longest streak in Phillies history, behind only teammate [[Jimmy Rollins]], who hit in 38 straight games between 2005 and 2006 (36 games in 2005 and two in 2006). Utley tied [[Luis Castillo (baseball player)|Luis Castillo]], who had a 35-game hitting streak in [[2002 in baseball|2002]], for the longest hitting streak by a second baseman. The streak was the longest for a purely left-handed hitter since [[Tommy Holmes]]' 37-game streak in 1945. As a result, he was named the National League [[Player of the Month]] for July 2006. ▼
▲Utley was a member of [[USA Baseball|Team USA ]] in the [[2006 World Baseball Classic]] , and was selected by the fans as the starting [[National League]]NL 2ndsecond baseman for the [[2006 Major League Baseball All-Star Game]] at [[PNC Park]] in [[ Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania|Pittsburgh]].
On [[September 24]], Utley hit two home runs in a 10-7 win over the [[Florida Marlins]]; it was his seventh multi-home run game of the 2006 season, tying a franchise record set by [[Richie Allen]] in [[1968 in baseball|1968]] and tied by [[Ryan Howard]] in [[2006 in baseball|2006]]. ▼
▲Utley had a 35-game [[hitting streak]] duringDuring the [[2006 in baseball|2006 season]] , season.Utley Itmaintained wasa the35-game hitting streak—the second-longest streak in Phillies history , behind only teammate [[Jimmy Rollins ]], who hit infor 38 straight games between 2005 and 2006 (36 games in 2005 and two in 2006). Utley tied [[ Luis Castillo (baseball player)|Luis Castillo]], who had a 35-game hitting streak in [[2002 in baseball|2002]], for the longest hitting streak by a second baseman. TheUtley’s streak was also the longest for a purely left-handed hitter since [[Tommy Holmes]]' 37-game streak in [[1945 ]]. As a result, heUtley was named the National League [[Player of the Month ]] for [[July ]] 2006.
▲On [[September 24]], 2006 Utley hit two [[home run|home runs ]] infor a 10-7 win over the [[Florida Marlins]]; it was his seventh multi-home run game of the 2006 season, tying a franchise record set by [[Richie Allen]] in [[ 1968 in baseball|1968]] and tied by [[Ryan Howard ]] in [[2006 in baseball|2006]].
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