The Philadelphia Phillies, needing a shake-up after some rough years, made a move nobody really expected: they went after franchise legend Chase Utley for their manager job. Before handing the reins back to interim manager Don Mattingly for the next two years, the team made a real play for Utley, and former Phillie Raul Ibanez too.
Philly Wanted Utley or Ibanez, Seriously
Man, you gotta hear this. Jayson Stark from The Athletic dropped a report that’s just wild: before they officially brought Don Mattingly back as their full-time manager, the Phillies were actually talking to Chase Utley and Raul Ibanez. Yeah, *that* Chase Utley, the absolute legend. They reached out to these two high-profile guys from their past to see if either of them would be up for the manager gig. Think about that for a second! It wasn’t just some casual chat, either. The Phillies showed real interest in bringing one of them in.
The Dodgers Connection That Stung
So, if it was such a real shot, why didn’t it happen? Turns out, both Utley and Ibanez “politely declined” the opportunity. And get this: both are currently working for the Dodgers. That’s a kicker, right? The Phillies even had to go through the Dodgers organization just to show how serious they were about bringing one of their own back. It’s gotta sting a bit for Philly fans to know that their legends are currently rocking Dodgers colors, especially when they could’ve been in the dugout at Citizens Bank Park for the 2027 season and beyond.
The Phillies eventually landed on giving Mattingly another shot, signing him for two years. He’s got the keys now, and the mandate is clear: make a deep playoff run. But knowing they almost had Utley or Ibanez leading the charge? That’s gotta be a heavy thought. Maybe down the road, one of those fan favorites will get another call. For now, it’s Mattingly’s show, and the pressure is on to turn those “disappointing things” around.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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