Chase Utley Returns To Citizens Bank Park Ahead Of MLB London Series
The Philadelphia Phillies will travel across the Atlantic Ocean to battle the New York Mets in the MLB London Series on June 8 and 9. The league chose the perfect person to promote the event at Citizens Bank Park weeks ahead of the international showcase.
Chase Utley spent parts of 13 seasons with the Phillies from 2003-2015, and he’s now the league’s Ambassador to Europe out on the front lines before the MLB London Series.
The legendary second baseman talked to the local media about his return to Philadelphia, the rivalry between the Phillies and the Mets, and the upcoming rivalry series.
MLB London Series
The Phillies and the Mets will square up in London on Saturday, June 8 at 1:10pm EST and Sunday, June 9 at 10:10am EST.
Both games will take place at London Stadium at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Past major league series in London have included the New York Yankees against the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs against the St. Louis Cardinals. The effort to grow the game internationally also achieved a major victory when Great Britain competed in the World Baseball Classic in 2023.
Leave it to Chase Utley to push for the Phillies and Mets as the first rivalry matchup in London since he took the ambassador role.
He talked about the playoff atmosphere he expects during the two-game weekend set with fireworks, new food to try, and a great travel experience.
Utley and former Mets second baseman Daniel Murphy will also compete with UK Gladiators in a home run derby as part of the weekend festivities.
“It’s going to be entertainment whether you know anything about baseball or not. It’s going to be a great day out, especially (for) the family.” -Chase Utley
Phillies-Mets Rivalry
Utley played a central role in the most memorable era of the heated NL East rivalry. He was the gritty local legend that captured the hearts of Philadelphians when the Phillies overtook the Mets to begin a reign of dominance in 2007.
The soon-to-be World Series champ had some choice words on a hot mic for New York fans who booed him at the 2008 MLB All-Star Game. He also got under the skin of the Mets with a controversial slide in the 2015 playoffs.
Utley joked that he surprisingly hasn’t gotten any calls about promoting the MLB London Series at Citi Field. He also recalled a memory of a dramatic walk-off single in August 2007 against New York closer Billy Wagner.
“Billy, at the time, was one of the best closers in baseball, so I would imagine the odds of us coming back and winning that game were not high. That was one of the big games that kind of propelled and started our pretty amazing run.” -Chase Utley
The Mets ultimately blew a seven-game division lead in the final 17 games of the 2007 season. The Phillies won their first NL East pennant since 1993, and they repeated a year later on their way to their second World Series in franchise history.
The 2024 Phillies
Utley talked about following the 2024 Phillies despite difficulties with the time difference in the UK. He complimented the mix they’ve built as a team with strong chemistry that has a good chance to go on another deep playoff run.
His former teammate Roy Halladay famously competed with him to be the first Phillie to arrive on the first day of spring training during their time together in Philadelphia. Utley responded to a question about some similarities between Halladay and current Phillies ace Zack Wheeler.
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History of Philadelphia Phillies Ballparks
Citizens Bank Park
2004-Present
Estimated Capacity: 43,000The grand opening of Citizens Bank Park in 2004 provided a shiny new alternative to a rundown stadium that had fallen apart. The lure of Ashburn Alley, Harry the K’s, and Bull’s BBQ created excitement for a new era of baseball in a town that had endured too much losing during the 1990s.
Three years later, the Phillies won the first of five consecutive National League East pennants. The stretch included the clinching victory in Game 5 of the 2008 World Series at Citizens Bank Park.
The Phillies sold out Citizens Bank Park for 257 consecutive regular-season games from July 2009-August 2012. It was the third-longest streak in MLB history at the time, and 16 playoff games all sold out during the same stretch.
Colin Newby | BBGI PhiladelphiaColin Newby | BBGI Philadelphia
Veterans Stadium
1971-2003
Estimated Capacity: 62,000 (baseball)Veterans Stadium opened during an era when MLB and NFL teams trended toward a preference for sharing multipurpose stadiums. The Houston Astrodome and Three River Stadium in Pittsburgh had recently opened before the Vet, creating some excitement for a brand new venue.
The multipurpose stadium turned into a venue associated more commonly with the Philadelphia Eagles and the tough, old school identity of the fan base. The hostility against visiting teams, the infamous jail of Judge Seamus McCaffery, and the cringy field conditions all became part of local legends personified by the Vet.
Photo by Doug Pensinger /Allsport
