8 great Utley moments for former Phillie’s visit

PHILADELPHIA — It is unlikely Chase Utley will shed a tear as he steps into the batter’s box Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park.

Expressing his feelings is not his style. In fact, standing and chatting inside the Dodgers’ dugout last week at Dodger Stadium, Utley only allowed that his first trip to Philadelphia since the Phillies traded him last August “might be a bit emotional.”

There should be more than a few standing ovations and a few tips of the cap as the Phillies and Dodgers play a three-game series this week. In preparation for a week of Utley memories, here are eight of Utley’s greatest moments with the Phillies:

1. Utley’s first hit April 24, 2003 In his first career start in his second career game, Utley hit a grand slam against Colorado’s Aaron Cook in the third inning at Veterans Stadium. It was the first of Utley’s five grand slams with the Phillies.

2. The Streak June 23- Aug. 3, 2006 Utley had a 35-game hitting streak, which is tied for the 11th longest in baseball history.

3. The Speech Oct. 31, 2008 The tightlipped Utley gave one of the most memorable speeches in Philadelphia history following the team’s World Series championship parade. He announced to the crowd at Citizens Bank Park that the Phillies were “world champions” — only he inserted an expletive in the middle to accentuate the exuberance of a fan base that had not enjoyed a championship from one of its professional sports teams in 25 years. Utley still hears the famous line from …

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