2014 Top Moments: #5 Utley Starts in Minnesota
Photo: CBS Philly
Chase Utley bolted out of the gate in 2014, arguably peaking on May 26, ending the day with a .337/.394/.556 triple-slash line, in contention for the batting title. Utley’s tremendous start had him in the forefront of not just all MLB second baseman but also among the game’s best overall players. Fans across baseball were sending their message loud and clear through: Utley was the best second baseman in the National League.
Utley would be the Phillies’ lone All-Star representative in 2014, marking the first time the Phillies sent just one representative to the Mid-Summer Classic since 2003 when Randy Wolf was the only Phillie selected. His 2014 selection would make the sixth selection and sixth start for Utley. Utley would hit an RBI double off of Jon Lester, coming around to score on a double by the very next batter, the Brewers’ Jonathan Lucroy.
After May 26, Utley hit just .241/.315/.343 with seven homers and nine steals but his explosive run through May 26 had Phillies fans flocking to the voting booth, stuffing the ballot box for a 35-year old having a turn-back-the-clock year. Seeing Utley in the All-Star Game felt just like old times and for that, it was the #5 Phillies Top Moment of 2014.
