The Official Site of Chase Utley

Mon, Jul 6th 2009, 10:54

Utley voted in as NL All-Star starter

The All-Star Game has become a summer tradition for Phillies second baseman Chase Utley.

Left fielder Raul Ibanez hopes this is the start of one.

Utley and Ibanez are headed to the All-Star Game on July 14 in St. Louis as starters after winning the fan vote at their respective positions. First baseman Ryan Howard joins the team as a reserve, and center fielder Shane Victorino has a chance to make the roster in the Final Vote, where fans vote for the final player on the roster.

“There’s no many opportunities where you get to play in an All-Star Game in your hometown,” said Howard, who grew up outside St. Louis. “I think everybody is definitely excited and can’t wait for it.”

This is Utley’s fourth consecutive All-Star Game and his fourth as a starter. This is Ibanez’s first Midsummer Classic in a 14-year career that began in 1996. Howard makes his second All-Star team, his first coming in 2006.

“It’s pretty exciting,” Utley said. “This is the fourth time I’ve participated in the All-Star Game, and I’ve had a great time so far. And hopefully I’ll continue to do that. I’ve had a lot of fan support here in Philadelphia and across the country, which is always nice. Hopefully [mamager] Charlie [Manuel] can rally us and we can win one for the National League.”

Utley has established himself arguably as the best second basemen in the Majors. He’s been an NL Silver Slugger winner from 2006-08. He has received votes for the NL MVP award each of the previous four seasons, including twice finishing in the top 10 in 2007 and ’08.

Utley leads NL second basemen in home runs (18), RBIs (55), slugging percentage (.559), on-base percentage (.426), runs (56), total bases (156) and walks (50).

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