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Phillies honor Bryce Harper’s request for Chase Utley Wall of Fame ceremony
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Phillies honor Bryce Harper's request for Chase Utley Wall of Fame ceremony appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
On Friday night, the Philadelphia Phillies will honor Chase Utley by adding the legendary second baseman to the Citizens Bank Park Wall of Fame.
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On the momentous occasion, Philadelphia will wear its traditional red pinstripes instead of the City Connect uniforms, after a request Bryce Harper made directly to owner John Middleton. The decision comes during Phillies Alumni Weekend and has a direct connection to Utley, who wore the traditional pinstripes throughout his Phillies career from 2003 through 2015.
Utley will become the 51st player inducted into the Phillies Wall of Fame. His pregame ceremony was scheduled to begin at 6:15 p.m. before Philadelphia's game against the Toronto Blue Jays , although the ceremony and game were delayed because of forecasted weather . Middleton is set to present Utley with his Wall of Fame ring, followed by a victory lap around the field.
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The celebration will feature current and former Phillies players, coaches and previously inducted Wall of Fame members. More than 60 Phillies alumni are expected to participate in the weekend's festivities, while Philadelphia will also release limited-edition merchandise commemorating Utley's induction.
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Utley spent 13 seasons with the Phillies after being selected in the first round of the 2000 draft. He played 1,551 games for Philadelphia, batting .282 with 1,623 hits, 233 home runs and 916 RBIs. His 62.0 WAR ranks second in franchise history behind Mike Schmidt.
Utley also helped Philadelphia win five consecutive division titles, two National League pennants and the 2008 World Series. He hit five home runs during the 2009 World Series, tying a Fall Classic record despite the Phillies losing the series.
The six-time All-Star also earned four Silver Slugger Awards and finished among the top 10 in National League MVP voting three times. He recorded an .847 OPS across 6,617 plate appearances with Philadelphia.
Utley will return Saturday to throw out the ceremonial first pitch alongside fellow 2008 World Series champion Carlos Ruiz .
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Related: Weather delays Chase Utley's Phillies Wall of Fame ceremony, Blue Jays tilt
