Chase Utley Photo of the Week (1-19-22)

Hi everybody,

This week's photo is a gif of Chase and Cole Hamels having a laugh during a question and answer session with fans at Citizen's Bank Park.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Chase Utley Photo of the Week (7-1-20)

Hi everybody,

This week's photo is a shot of Chase and his wife Jen at a Hamels Foundation charity event.

Photo from contact music.com

Talk to you soon,

Little Chase

Cole Hamels Pitched First Game At Citizens Bank Park Since Being Traded

Classy move...

Hi everybody,

Former Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels pitched in Citizens Bank Park last Wednesday (August 14th) for the first time since being traded to the Texas Rangers in July 2015.  Although Hamels (now pitching for the Chicago Cubs) had a rough outing he was treated with a standing ovation by the Philly fans.

In an extremely classy move, Hamels also wore the Phils commemorative patch honoring the late David Montgomery...who passed away on May 8th. When asked about potentially being fined for wearing it, Hamels said that Montgomery had meant a lot to him and his family and didn't care if he was fined.

Hamels is a free agent at the end of this season and I hope the Phils sign him as a free agent in the offseason.  Would love to see him finish his career as a Phillie.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Alumni Weekend - Celebration of 2009 National League Championship Team

Hi everybody,

Alumni Weekend concluded earlier today with a pregame ceremony honoring the Phillies 2009 National League Championship team.  Almost all the members of the 2009 team were in attendance and Cole Hamels provided a video message to their teammates and the fans.  It was great to see the 2009 team again and it makes me want to watch some 2009 Phils baseball.

2009 NL Champs Reunion Photo

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

The Phillies Won the World Series 10 Years Ago Today

Most of 2008 Team From Alumni Weekend

Hi everybody,

Just wanted to acknowledge the ten year anniversary of the Phillies 2008 World Series victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.  I remember that night like it was yesterday.  What a great time that was.  I hope we all get to enjoy another Phils World Series win in the coming seasons.

Great Memory of Lidge & Chooch

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Chase Utley Photo of the Week (10-3-18)

Hi everybody,

This week's photo is a shot of Chase with Cole Hamels during Phillies Spring Training.  I figured that I would share this picture since Chase and Cole are both involved in the 2018 MLB postseason.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Cole Hamels Returning to the Postseason

Hi everybody,

I just wanted to congratulate former Phils starting pitcher Cole Hamels for making the postseason with the Chicago Cubs.  Although the Cubs failed to win the NL Central Title earlier today they will be playing in the NL Wildcard Game tomorrow against the Colorado Rockies.  Good luck in the postseason, Hollywood!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Time to Put My Phils Jersey Away

Hi everybody,

With the 2018 season coming to a close...it's time for me to put my Phillies jersey away.  Will still be watching playoff baseball and rooting for Chase & Cole as well as watching other Philly sports but this time of year is always a little sad for me.  I'll miss watching the Phils every night. 

We'll still have some fun on the blog though and before you know it...it will be time to put that Phils jersey back on again.

See you in 2019, Phillies....

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Cole Hamels Returned to Philly Last Weekend for the First Time Since Being Traded

Hi everybody,

Former Phils starting pitcher Cole Hamels returned to Philadelphia this past weekend with the Chicago Cubs.  This is the first time that Hamels has been in Philly since he was traded to the Texas Rangers in 2015.  The Rangers traded Hamels to the Cubs in July.

Hamels did not pitch during any of the three games but was greeted with a video presentation by the Phillies and a standing ovation by the fans.  It was good to see Hamels again and I hope he will pitch one more time for the Phillies before his career comes to an end.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Alumni Weekend - Celebration of 2008 World Championship Team

Hi everybody,

Alumni Weekend concluded earlier today with a pregame ceremony honoring the 2008 World Championship Phillies team.  Almost all the members of the 2008 team were in attendance and many of those who could not attend (Chase Utley, Cole Hamels, Matt Stairs and Chris Coste) provided video messages to their teammates and the fans.  It was great to see the 2008 team again.  It makes me want to watch some 2008 Phils baseball.

2008 World Champs Reunion Photo

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Former Phillies Pitcher Roy Halladay Has Passed Away

Hi everybody,

I apologize for not writing about this sooner but I have been too bummed out to do it until now.  Former Phils starting pitcher Roy Halladay passed away in an airplane accident last week (November 7th).  Doc pitched for the Phillies from 2010-2013 and threw two no-hitters (including a perfect game) during the 2010 season.  Halladay previously pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Celebrating No-Hitter in 2010

Roy Halladay 10 Greatest Baseball Moments

A memorial service was held for Doc in Clearwater, Florida on Tuesday (November 14th) and many former teammates from both the Phillies and Blue Jays attended to pay their respects.  Chase Utley, Cole Hamels and Charlie Manuel spoke during the service to reflect on Doc's life and his impact on them.  Here are some links where you can hear their comments.

Roy Halladay's Life Celebrated At Memorial

Teammates Speak at Roy Halladay Memorial

Doc is survived by his wife Brandy and  his two sons.  The Halladay family released the following statement shortly after his tragic passing:

Our family is heartbroken in confirming that Roy passed away in a plane crash Tuesday afternoon. While many will remember him for his success as a major league pitcher, we remember him as an amazing father, loving husband and loyal friend.

Roy had many accomplishments in his professional career, the memories of which we will cherish forever. He described each achievement as a team effort rather than an individual accomplishment, a true testament to his character and love for his teammates.

Roy grew up with a passion for planes and always had the goal of becoming a pilot. Since retiring from baseball, he has been actively studying, accumulating the required flight hours and obtaining multiple pilot certifications and licenses. Just as he was known for his work ethic in baseball, he was also widely respected by those who knew him in the aviation community for his hard work, attention to detail and dedication to safety while flying. He treated his passion for aviation with the same joy and enthusiasm as he did his love for baseball.

That passion was also expressed through his tireless dedication to helping his own children and so many others learn to love and respect the game of baseball. He was an amazing coach for many youth teams, always showing patience and encouragement while reminding each child that they all had a role to play, a way to contribute and add value to their team. His love for the game had no boundaries as we often saw him instructing and encouraging the players on opposing teams. Roy was selfless in every aspect of his life.

While we mourn the loss of the core of our family, we choose to celebrate him and remember the man we knew privately on and off the field. We hope that he serves as an example of professionalism, integrity and hard work for all who knew him. For us, we will forever remember his unconditional love, humility and the sacrifices he made to provide for the family that meant the world to him.

On behalf of our family we thank you for respecting our privacy during this time of overwhelming grief. We also ask that you respect the privacy of our extended family as well as the families and children who Roy has coached, taught or worked with. We are so fortunate and thankful for the outpouring of love and support we've received from across the world. A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, November 14, 2017, at 4:00 p.m. at Spectrum Field in Clearwater, Florida. The service will be open to the public.

The Halladay Family

Doc was one of my favorite Phillies after Chase and I have missed seeing him pitch since his retirement.  I had always hoped that he would one day be a coach in the Phillies organization.  I hope the Phils name him to the Wall of Fame this year.  Rest in Peace, Doc!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Chase Utley Photo of the Week (10-4-17)

Hi everybody,

This week's photo is a cool promotional pic of what I believe is the 2010 Phillies.  That was Doc's first year with the Phils and the season he pitched both a complete game and a no-hitter in the playoffs.  I really miss seeing Chase, J-Roll, Big Piece, Doc and Cole in Phils uniforms.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Howie Kendrick Placed on the DL

Hi everybody,

Phillies outfielder and second baseman Howie Kendrick was placed on the DL (Disabled List) with a left hamstring injury yesterday (June 30th).  Kendrick has been dealing with the injury since last week and has only been used sparingly as a pinch hitter and as the DH (Designated Hitter) in Tuesday's (June 27th) game against the Seattle Mariners.

This is Kendrick's second stint on the DL this season.  He missed about six weeks with a right abdominal strain (Kendrick 1st DL Stint 2017 Season) in April and May but is not expected to be out as long this time.

The Phillies have brought up outfielder Nick Williams from Triple A to replace Kendrick on the roster.  Williams was one of the centerpieces in the Cole Hamels trade to the Texas Rangers in 2015 (Cole Hamels Traded to Rangers) and is hoped to be a big part of the Phils future plans.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Phils to See Cole Hamels For the First Time Since Being Traded

Hi everybody,

The Phillies are in Texas to play the Rangers tonight and will see former Phils pitcher Cole Hamels for the first time since he was traded in July 2015.  Unfortunately Hamels is injured (out eight weeks with a strained oblique muscle) and will be unable to pitch in the series.  It will still be good to see Hamels in the dugout but I would have liked to see him pitch against the Phils.

Miss Cole and Hunter on the Phils...

Hamels will always look better in Phils pinstripes....

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Chase Utley Photo of the Week (4-19-17)

Hi everybody,

This week's gif is a shot of Chase and Cole Hamels having a laugh during a question and answer session with fans at Citizen's Bank Park before the start of the season (not sure which one).  I wonder what was so funny.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Chase Utley Photo of the Week (1-11-17)

Hi everybody,

This week's photo is a shot of Chase just before the start of the 2011 or 2012 season answering questions from the fans with Cole Hamels and Roy Halladay.  I'm sure the fans had some great questions and Chase provided excellent answers.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Chase Utley Photo of the Week (10-12-16)

Hi everybody,

This week's photo is another Chase pic with Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins.  Along with Cole Hamels and Carlos Ruiz...Chase, Jimmy and the Big Piece were the core of the Phillies playoff run from 2007-2011.  I miss seeing them in Phillies pinstripes.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Time to Put My Phils Jersey Away

Hi everybody,

With the 2016 season coming to a close...it's time for me to put my Phillies jersey away.  Will still be watching playoff baseball and rooting for Chase, Chooch and Cole as well as watching Eagles football but this time of year is always a little sad for me.  I'll miss watching the Phils every night and bummed that the winning era from 2007-2011 is officially over with the Big Piece leaving.

We'll still have some fun on the blog though and before you know it...it will be time to put that Phils jersey back on again.

See you in 2017 Phillies...

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Chase Utley Photo of the Week (9-21-16)

Hi everybody,

This week's photo is a shot of Chase with one of the central core pieces of the Phillies playoff teams of 2007-2011....Cole Hamels.  Although Hamels and Chase are no longer playing here....they will always be Phillies.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Chase Utley Photo of the Week (4-13-16)

Hi everybody,

This week's photo is just a picture of Chase and Cole Hamels meeting by the mound during a game.  I'm guessing that they were discussing strategy between batters.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase