Chase Utley Photo of the Week (6-15-22)

Hi everybody,

This week's photo is just a shot of Chase and Pat Burrell hanging out after Pat’s Wall of Fame induction in 2015.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

2021 Phillies Alumni Weekend

Hi everybody,

It was Alumni Weekend down at the ballpark this past weekend and the Phillies had three separate events to honors members of the organization.

On Friday night former Phillies President the late David Montgomery was recognized after he was posthumously awarded the Buck O'Neil Lifetime Achievement Award during the National Baseball Hall of Fame Ceremonies last month.

On Saturday night former second baseman Manny Trillo was inducted into the Phillies Wall of Fame.  The member of the 1980 World Champions was supposed to be inducted last year but Alumni Weekend was cancelled due to the coronavirus.

On Sunday afternoon former pitcher, Wall of Fame and Hall of Fame member the late Roy Halladay had his number retired by the Phillies in a ceremony where his former teammate Raul Ibanez spoke.  A Number 34 Monument was also unveiled on the Third Base Plaza by Doc's former catcher Carlos Ruiz.

I tip my cap and raise my glass to all the Phillies legends.

Talk to you soon,

Little Chase

Former Phillies Great Dick Allen Has Passed Away

Hi everybody,

Sad Phillies new to report.  Former Phillies great Dick Allen passed away earlier today.  Allen played with the Phillies for nine seasons (1963-1969, 1975-1976), is a Phillies Wall of Famer and had his number 15 retired by the Phils earlier this year (Dick Allen's Number 15 To Be Retired By Phillies).  He is also up for consideration for enshrinement in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Rest in peace Mr. Allen.

Talk to you soon,

Little Chase

Manny Trillo Selected as 2020 Phillies Wall of Fame Inductee

Hi everybody,

The Phillies announced earlier today that former second baseman Manny Trillo has been selected as the 2020 Phillies Wall of Fame inductee.  The ceremony will occur on Saturday, August 8th during both Alumni Weekend and the 40th anniversary celebration of the Phils first World Series title.  Trillo played on the Phillies from 1979-1982 where he won two Silver Slugger Awards, three Gold Glove Awards and the 1980 World Series title.

Congrats, Mr. Trillo!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Roy Halladay's Number 34 To Be Retired By Phillies

Hi everybody,

The Phillies are going to retire the late Roy Halladay's Number 34 in a pregame ceremony on Friday, May 29, 2020.  This special event for the MLB Hall of Fame and Phillies Wall of Fame legend (officially named Roy Halladay Number Retirement Night) is taking place on the 10th anniversary of Doc pitching his Perfect Game against the Miami Marlins.

Halladay celebrating the Perfect Game with Chooch and Ryan Howard...

Miss you Doc...

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Alumni Weekend - Bobby Abreu Wall of Fame Ceremony

Hi everybody,

It is Alumni Weekend down at the ballpark and former Phillies outfielder Bobby Abreu was added to the Phillies Wall of Fame in a ceremony before tonight's ballgame against the Chicago White Sox.

Abreu played on the Phillies from 1998-2006 where he was a two time member of the National League All-Star Team in 2004 and 2005.  Abreu also won a Gold Glove Award in 2005 and a Silver Slugger Award in 2006.

During the ceremony, a highlight video of Abreu's career in Philly was played and Jimmy Rollins unveiled Abreu's Wall of Fame Plaque.

Abreu viewing highlight video

Roll unveiling Wall of Fame Plaque

Abreu was very emotional in his speech to the crowd (Abreu Wall of Fame Speech) where he thanked the Phillies organization and the fans.

Abreu speaking to the crowd...

Officially a Wall of Famer...

Waving to the crowd....

Congrats on your Wall of Fame induction Bobby Abreu!


Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Roy Halladay Inducted Into the National Baseball Hall of Fame

Hi everybody,

I just wanted to congratulate former Phillies starting pitcher and Wall of Famer the late Roy Halladay for his official induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Halladay was inducted on Sunday (July 21th) during a ceremony in Cooperstown, NY.  Halladay's widow Brandy gave an emotional induction speech honoring Halladay (Halliday Induction Speech). Congrats, Doc!  Wish you were here to have been a part of it!

Brandy Halladay Accepting HoF Award For Doc

Halladay Hall of Fame Plaque

R.I.P. Doc

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Bobby Abreu Selected as 2019 Phillies Wall of Fame Inductee

Hi everybody,

The Phillies announced earlier today that former outfielder Bobby Abreu has been selected as the 2019 Phillies Wall of Fame inductee.  The ceremony will occur on Saturday, August 4th during Alumni Weekend.  Abreu played on the Phillies from 1998-2006 where he was a two time member of the National League All-Star Team in 2004 and 2005.

Congrats, Mr. Abreu!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Roy Halliday Selected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame (Class of 2019)

Hi everybody,

I just wanted to congratulate former Phillies starting pitcher the late Roy Halliday for his recent selection to the National Baseball Hall of Fame (Class of 2019).  Halliday played with the Phils for the final four seasons of his career (2010-2013)...where he pitched both a perfect game and a playoff no-hitter during the 2010 season.  Halliday was also added to the Phillies Wall of Fame in 2018.  Congrats again to Doc and his family!!!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Alumni Weekend - Roy Halladay and Pat Gillick Wall of Fame Ceremony

Hi everybody,

It is Alumni Weekend down at the ballpark and former Phillies starting pitcher Roy Halladay and former Phillies General Manager Pat Gillick were added to the Phillies Wall of Fame in a ceremony last night (August 4th) before the ballgame.

Roy Halladay (who sadly passed away last November) played for the Phillies from 2010-2013.  During his four season with the Phils, Doc would pitch a perfect game against the Miami Marlins on May 29, 2010 as well as a post-season no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds during Game 1 of the 2010 National League Divisional Series.

Halladay's wife Brandy and his two sons accepted the Wall of Fame induction in his honor and Brandy gave a beautiful speech honoring Doc.  Carlos Ruiz then unveiled Halladay's Wall of Fame Plaque.

Charlie and Brandy Halladay...

Brandy Halladay gives beautiful speech honoring her husband....

Chooch unveils Halladay Wall of Fame Plaque...

Doc Wall of Fame Plaque

Pat Gillick served as the Phillies General Manager from 2006-2008 and later as Phillies President from 2014-2015.  It was during Gillick's time as GM that the Phillies won the World Series in 2008.

Gillick Wall of Fame Plaque

I just want to congratulate both Roy Halladay and Pat Gillick for earning their places on the Phillies Wall of Fame.  I just wish that Doc was still here so he could have been a part of it.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Jim Thome Inducted Into the National Baseball Hall of Fame

Hi everybody,

I just wanted to congratulate former Phillies first baseman and Wall of Famer Jim Thome for his official induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.  Thome was inducted yesterday (July 29th) during a ceremony in Cooperstown, NY.  Congrats, Jim Thome!

2018 Wall of Fame Class

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Chase Utley Announces His Retirement

Hi everybody,

It has been a sad few days here on the blog.  Former Phils second baseman (and my hero) Chase Utley announced his retirement from major league baseball at the end of the 2018 Season.  Chase made the announcement on Friday (July 13th) in Los Angeles and stated his reason for retiring was become a full-time Dad.

Chase has played for the Dodgers for the last 3.5 years after starting his career with the Phillies in 2003.  Chase will make his final regular season appearance in Citizens Bank Park when the Dodgers visit at the end of July...so the fans will get a chance to say goodbye.

As for the future...I hope Chase signs a one-day contract next season to officially retire as a Phillie.  I expect a Wall of Fame Induction a few seasons after then and then hopefully a Hall of Fame Induction.

Chase will always be my favorite baseball player.  This blog wouldn't exist without him.  I will miss seeing him play but look forward to him coming home to the Phillies!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Jim Thome Honored by Phillies for Hall of Fame Induction

Hi everybody,

The Phillies honored former first baseman and Wall of Famer Jim Thome for his Hall of Fame induction on July 29th before the start of yesterday's (June 14th) game against the Colorado Rockies.  Thome said a few words to the crowd before throwing out the first pitch.  He also got to shoot the hot dog cannon with the Phillie Phanatic during the game.

!st Pitch

This picture wasn't from yesterday but wanted to show Thome firing the cannon

Thome has always been one of my favorite Phillies and I am very happy for his well deserved Hall of Fame induction.  Congrats, Big Jim!!!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Roy Halladay and Pat Gillick Selected as 2018 Phillies Wall of Fame Inductees

Hi everybody,

The Phillies announced on Tuesday (February 27th) that former starting pitcher Roy Halladay (who passed away last November) and former Phils GM and President Pat Gillick have been selected as the 2018 inductees to the Phillies Wall of Fame.  The ceremony will occur on Friday, August 4th before the game against the Miami Marlins.  The Phils also announced that a flag bearing Halladay's Number 34 will fly at Citizens Bank Park for the entire 2018 Season.

Halladay pitched for the Phillies from 2010-2013 and had great success with the team.  Doc was the 2010 NL Cy Young award winner and pitched two no-hitters during the 2010 Season.  The first no-hitter was a perfect game against the Marlins and the second no-hitter occurred in the NLDS playoff series against the Cincinnati Reds.

Roy Halladay

Gillick was the Phils GM during the World Series winning 2008 season and many off his moves were instrumental to the success of the Phillies during the 2007-2011 run.  Gillick was also elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011.

Pat Gillick

I just wanted to congratulate both men for this honor.  I just wish that Doc would have been around to be a part of it.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Jim Thome Selected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame (Class of 2018)

Hi everybody,

I just wanted to congratulate former Phillies First Baseman Jim Thome for his recent selection to the National Baseball Hall of Fame (Class of 2018).  Thome played with the Phils from 2003-2005 and again for one half season in 2012.  Thome was also added to the Phillies Wall of Fame in 2016.  Congrats again, Big Jim!!!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

No Phillies Will Wear Halladay's Number 34 During 2018 Season

Hi everybody,

The Phillies announced yesterday (December 21st) that no Phillie will be wearing Roy Halladay's Number 34 during the 2018 season.  The Phils pitching legend passed away in a plane crash on November 7th and this looks to be the first of many ways that the Phillies plan to honor Doc during the 2018 season.  I'm hoping that one of the ways that Halladay is honored will be an induction to the Phillies Wall of Fame.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Alumni Weekend

Hi everybody,

It was Alumni Weekend at the ballpark this past weekend and it was a somber affair as the Phils honored three Wall of Famers (Dallas Green , Jim Bunning and Darren Daulton) who passed away this year.  The Phils honored Dallas Green, Jim Bunning and Darren Daulton with a tribute video and a speech by Mike Schmidt as other Phillies Wall of Famers looked on.

Watching the tribute video...

National Anthem

I want to repeat what I wrote on Twitter on Saturday night as my tribute to the Phillies legends that we lost:

I raise my glass to the 3 @Phillies icons that have left us. Cheers to Jim Bunning, Dallas Green & Darren "Dutch" Daulton! #LegendsReturn

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase