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Chase Utley Will Retire After 2018 Season with Dodgers

Adam Wells@adamwells1985Featured ColumnistJuly 13, 2018

Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley looks on before a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Thursday, July 12, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Gregory Bull/Associated Press

Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley is set to end his career after the 2018 season. 

Fox Sports: MLB shared the official announcement:

FOX Sports: MLB @MLBONFOX

Chase Utley officially announces he will retire at the end of the 2018 season after a 16-year career. https://t.co/FeAiqdQ3X4

Utley said at a press conference Friday that he's retiring in order to be a full-time dad, per Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.

After signing a two-year extension to remain with the Dodgers in February, Utley has hit .231/.313/.331 with one home run and 14 RBI in 57 games this season. 

Utley was selected with the 15th overall pick by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2000 MLB draft. Despite not becoming an everyday player until his age-25 season in 2004, he became one of the best second basemen of this generation. 

From 2005-10, Utley led all second basemen with 43.7 FanGraphs wins above replacement, 162 home runs and a .388 on-base percentage. He was named to the National League All-Star team six times and helped the Phillies win the 2008 World Series. 

Utley's five home runs in the 2009 World Series against the New York Yankees are tied with Reggie Jackson (1978) and George Springer (2017) for the most in a single series in MLB history.