Happy New Year

Hi everybody,

I thought I would wish you all an early Happy New Year!  Hope you all have a fun and safe New Year's Eve.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Chase Utley Photo of the Week (12-31-14)

Hi everybody,

Doesn't it look like Chase is celebrating the last Photo of the Week for 2014? It does to me...keep celebrating, Chase!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Gettysburg Photo of the Month (December 2014)

Hi everybody,

I found out recently that the Quality Inn at General Lee's Headquarters will be closing after today.  The land will be restored to the way it looked at the time of the Battle of Gettysburg and given to the Gettysburg National Military Park. Even though it will be nice to see the land restored, I will still miss staying at this hotel.  It was one of my favorite places to stay in Gettysburg because it was so close to the battlefield.

For this month, I decided to share a few pictures I found online of the hotel.  I know that I usually post pictures that I or my friends have taken at Gettysburg but I've decided to make an exception in this case.

Goodbye Quality Inn.  Thanks for the memories.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Merry Christmas

Hi everybody,

I just wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Chase Utley Photo of the Week (12-24-14)

Hi everybody,

Hope you are all having a great Holiday Season.  This week's photo shows Chase with the Christmas spirit as well.  Nice sweater, Chase!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

My Birthday

Hi everybody,

I have been so busy with Christmas preparations that I forgot to post about my birthday this past week.  Coincidentally, I share the same birthday with my hero Chase!!  My friends were nice enough to get me a giant chocolate cream doughnut cake.  It was delicious and I enjoyed eating it very much.

Admiring a masterpiece.....

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Antonio Bastardo Traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates

Hi everybody,

This is old news from last week but I wanted to post it anyway.  Phillies relief pitcher Antonio Bastardo was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates on December 10th  for minor league pitcher Joely Rodriguez.  I want to wish Bastardo luck on his new team.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Jimmy Rollins Traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers

Hi everybody,

Yesterday was a sad day in Philly sports as long-time Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for minor league pitchers Zach Eflin and Tom Windle.  Rollins had been a Phillie for his entire Major League career before the trade and is the Phillies All-Time Hits Leader.

Rollins bought a full-page ad in the Philadelphia Inquirer today thanking the fans.  Here is what he wrote:

To the City of Philadelphia,

Words cannot begin to describe what these past 18 years as a Phillie have meant to me. Starting as a teenager from Northern California, becoming a husband and now a father of two beautiful children, I’ve spent nearly half of my life growing up in front of all of you.

We’ve shared a lot of great memories that I’ll cherish forever. From being the “team to beat,” to our great postseason run and raising that World Championship banner, it has been an honor playing in front of the most passionate fans in the world. You let us hear it when things got tough and you rocked “The Bank” when we needed you most.

It’d like to thank the countless staff members throughout the organization that have supported me and the Rollins Family Foundation over the years. We wouldn’t be where we are today without all of you.

To my teammates, you guys are family and always will be. There have been many to come and go over the years and I’ve enjoyed taking the field with each and every one of you. Chase, Hollywood, Chooch, Big Piece … brothers for life.

Lee Thomas, Ed Wade, Pat Gillick, Ruben Amaro and the managers that I’ve played for over the years, Tito, Larry, Charlie and Ryno; thank you for giving me the opportunity and making a kid from Alameda’s dream come true. Mr. Montgomery, thank you for everything.

Love you all! Peace.

Jimmy, Johari, Cam & Lolo

Chase Utley also had this to say about his time spent with JRoll:

I wish Jimmy the best of luck and I will miss seeing him play everyday.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Chase Utley Photo of the Week (12-17-14)

Hi everybody,

This week's photo is of Chase giving it his all (as usual) out in the field.  He looks like he is trying to fly.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Chase Utley Photo of the Week (12-10-14)

Hi everybody,

It's time for another fun Chase photo.  This week's pic is of a more relaxed Chase taking in the scenery at the ballpark.  He looks like he's doing a lot of thinking.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Chase Utley Photo of the Week (12-3-14)

Hi everybody,

Here is the first photo of the week for December and it is a great one.  Chase is up to bat and I'm sure he is about to get on base.  Hope you all enjoy it.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Happy Thanksgiving

Hi everybody,

I'm off to my friends' place to watch some Eagles football and eat lots of turkey with all the trimmings.  I even got some nice gifts for my hosts.  I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving and have lots to be thankful for!  Go Eagles!!!

These are some snazzy gifts

I'm thankful that I don't have to wear this hat anymore

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Chase Utley Photo of the Week (11-26-14)

Hi everybody,

This week's photo is of Chase on base waiting to score another run.  Hope you all enjoy it.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Gettysburg Photo of the Month (November 2014)

Hi everybody,

This month's photo is of the Pennsylvania Memorial on a rainy day in April.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Chase Utley Photo of the Week (11-19-14)

Hi everybody,

This week's photo is from the 2008 World Series Parade/Celebration when the Phillies were thanking the fans.  Chase has some colorful and famous remarks when he took the stage to speak.

World Champions....World $#@%&!' Champions!!!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Chase Utley Photo of the Week (11-12-14)

Hi everybody,

For this week's photo I found a picture of Chase sitting on the bench during Spring Training.  He looks like he is itching to get in the game...which is what I imagine how he feels during the off-season.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Veterans Day

Hi everybody,

To all of our veterans, both living and dead....thank you for your service to our country.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Chase Utley Photo of the Week (11-5-14)

Hi everybody,

Last week former Phillie Hunter Pence won his second World Series title in three years with the San Francisco Giants.  To celebrate Hunter's accomplishment...this week's photo is of Chase and Hunter celebrating a win while Pence was on the Phillies.  I hope you all enjoy it.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Happy Halloween

Hi everybody,

I just wanted to wish all of you a safe and Happy Halloween.  I plan to post all the pics of my Halloween adventures soon so keep checking the blog.

My name is Piesenberg & this is Baking Bad

Nice Pumpkin

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Congrats to 2014 World Series Champion Hunter Pence

Hi everybody,

Just wanted to congratulate Hunter Pence and the San Francisco Giants for their World Series win on Wednesday night against the Kansas City Royals. It is Hunter's 2nd World Series Ring since being foolishly traded by the Phillies in 2012.  I am very happy for him but I really wish he was still a Phillie!

Two-time World Series Champ & the WWE World Champion???

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Chase Utley Photo of the Week (10-29-14)

Hi everybody,

This week's photo is a cool pic of Chase tossing a baseball.  I hope you all enjoy it.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Former Phils in the World Series

Hi everybody,

I just wanted to congratulate a trio of former Phils who are playing in this years World Series.  Congrats and good luck to Hunter Pence (San Francisco Giants), Raul Ibanez (Kansas City Royals) and Erik "Turkey Bacon" Kratz (Kansas City Royals).  We miss you all here in Philly.

Hunter Pence

Raul Ibanez

Erik Kratz

Kratz and Turkey Bacon

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Gettysburg Photo of the Month (October 2014)

Hi everybody,

This month's picture is of the Farnsworth House in the town of Gettysburg. The house was near the front lines during the 2nd and 3rd days of the Battle of Gettysburg.  Today it is a bed & breakfast as well as a restaurant.  The food is great there...especially the peanut soup.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Chase Utley Photo of the Week (10-22-14)

Hi everybody,

This week's photo of Chase is him celebrating with his teammates after a win.  Hope you all enjoy it.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Chase Utley Photo of the Week (10-15-14)

Hi everybody,

This week's photo is of Chase and Cliff Lee celebrating after Lee scored a run.  It must have been early in the season because Cliff is wearing a jacket.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Chase Utley Photo of the Week (10-8-14)

Hi everybody,

For this week's photo I am using a picture of Chase ordering a hoagie and french fries at Tony Luke's last Monday (September 29th).  Going by the alias "Rick"...Chase must have wanted to grab one more great sammach from Tony Luke's before leaving town for the off-season.  Hope the sammach and fries were good, Chase..I mean Rick.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Chase Utley Photo of the Week (10-1-14)

Hi everybody,

With the Phils season coming to an end this past Sunday, I decided to share a picture of Chase that the Phillies used to thank the fans for their support. Hope you all enjoy it.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

2014 NL East Final Standings

Hi everybody,

Here are the final standings for the NL East this season:



NL East                                      W         L         PCT         GB

Washington Nationals            96        66         .593             --
New York Mets                       79         83         .488           17
Atlanta Braves                        79         83         .488           17
Miami Marlins                          77         85         .475           19
Philadelphia Phillies              73          89        .451           23


The Phils have a lot of work ahead of them to improve for next season.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Gettysburg Photo of the Month (September 2014)

Hi everybody,

This month's picture is of the Cashtown Inn that I took when visiting Gettysburg back in April.  This pic is at a slightly different angle than the one I shared last year (7-12-13).  I hope you all enjoy it.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Baseball Writers' Association of America 2014 Phillies Award Winners

Hi everybody,

Here are the winners of the Baseball Writers' Association of America 2014 Phillies Awards:

1) Mike Schmidt Award for Most Valuable Player = Marlon Byrd
2) Steve Carlton Award for Most Valuable Pitcher = Cole Hamels
3) Dallas Green Award for Special Achievement = Jimmy Rollins
4) Tug McGraw Award for True Professionalism = Ryan Howard
5) Charlie Manuel Award for Service & Passion to Baseball = Chris Wheeler*

* Inaugural winner

The awards were presented on the field before Friday night's game against the Atlanta Braves.  Congrats to all the winners!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

National Coffee Day

Hi everybody,

I just wanted to wish you all a very happy National Coffee Day!  Hope you all get to enjoy a great cup of Joe today!!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Game 162: Braves (78-83) at Phillies (73-88)

Hi everybody,

Here is the score of today's game:

Atlanta Braves:                            2
Philadelphia Phillies:                  1

SP:   Cole Hamels

LP:   Cole Hamels (9-9)


RBIs:*

* The lone run scored during a double play in the 8th

Runs Scored:

Freddy Galvis = 1 (14)


The Phillies finish the season with a record of 73-89 and that my friends is that.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Game 161: Braves (77-83) at Phillies (73-87)

Hi everybody,

Here is the score of last night's game:

Atlanta Braves:                            4
Philadelphia Phillies:                  2

SP:   A.J. Burnett

LP:   A.J. Burnett (8-18)


RBIs:

Ryan Howard = 2 (95)

Home Runs:

Ryan Howard = 1 (23)

Runs Scored:

Chase Utley = 1 (74)
Ryan Howard = 1 (65)


Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Game 160: Braves (77-82) at Phillies (72-87)

Hi everybody,

Here is the score of last night's game:

Atlanta Braves:                            4
Philadelphia Phillies:                  5

SP:   Jerome Williams

WP:   Luis Garcia (1-0)
SV:    Jonathan Papelbon (39)


RBIs:*

Ben Revere = 1 (28)
Cody Asche = 1 (46)
Freddy Galvis = 1 (12)
Marlon Byrd = 1 (85)

* An additional unearned run scored

Runs Scored:

Carlos Ruiz = 1 (43)
Marlon Byrd = 1 (71)
Domonic Brown = 1 (47)
Cody Asche = 2 (43)


Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Game 159: Phillies (72-86) at Marlins (75-82)

Hi everybody,

Here is the score of yesterday's game:

Philadelphia Phillies:                    4
Miami Marlins:                               6

SP:   David Buchanan

LP:   Jake Diekman (5-5)


RBIs:

Chase Utley = 2 (78)
Domonic Brown = 2 (63)

Runs Scored:

Ben Revere = 2 (71)
Chase Utley = 1 (73)
David Buchanan = 1 (2)


Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Game 158: Phillies (71-86) at Marlins (75-81)

Hi everybody,

Here is the score of last night's game:

Philadelphia Phillies:                    2
Miami Marlins:                               1

SP:   Kyle Kendrick

WP:   Kyle Kendrick (10-13)
SV:    Jonathan Papelbon (38)


RBIs:

Kyle Kendrick = 1 (1)
Marlon Byrd = 1 (84)

Runs Scored:

Maikel Franco = 1 (5)
Darin Ruf = 1 (13)


Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Chase Utley Photo of the Week (9-24-14)

Hi everybody,

This week's photo is of Chase in the dugout watching the action on the field. Hope you all enjoy it.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Game 157: Phillies (71-85) at Marlins (74-81)

Hi everybody,

Here is the score of last night's game:

Philadelphia Phillies:                    0
Miami Marlins:                               2

SP:   Cole Hamels

LP:   Cole Hamels (9-8)


Talk to you soon,
Little Chase