Three long-time second base studs
Because he made the announcement mid-season that this would be his last, Chase Utley‘s departure from the game has gone much more quietly over the weekend than it really should have. One of the absolute elite 2B in his prime, Utley has been an invaluable veteran for the Dodgers over the last half-decade.
From 2005-2009, there was not another second baseman that could touch Utley’s production. An excellent glove man, he produced a .301/.388/.535 line during that time, averaging 29 home runs and 15 stolen bases over those five seasons. Injuries tampered down his overall career numbers, but with a career .275/.358/.465 line, 259 home runs, and 154 stolen bases, Utley will get plenty of consideration for Cooperstown when his name hits the ballot, though likely he will fall short.
Two seasons ago, it would have been sacrilege to consider that Dustin Pedroia could be on his way out of baseball after 2018. He’s just turned 35 years old in August, so he’s not by any means old, but with just 3 games played in 2018 after missing 50+ games in 2017 and 2015, it could be time for Pedroia to hang up the cleats.
If he does, he’ll take the heartbeat of the Red Sox club with him, having been a member of the BoSox his whole career, hitting .300/.366/.440 with over 1,800 hits, nearly 400 doubles, and just short of 150 home runs. There won’t be a Cooperstown spot in his future, but like Utley, he’ll definitely get strong consideration from many places.
After an unceremonious exit from Cincinnati after the 2016 season, Brandon Phillips appeared done after a 2017 season that saw him play for the Braves and Angels. Instead, when Pedroia could not return, Phillips was signed by the Red Sox, and after struggling in just 9 games with Boston, he may have reached that time when he hangs up his spikes.
When he does, he’ll go down as one of the best defensive second basemen of the last 25 years, and he was no slouch offensively, either, finishing the 2018 season with a .275/.320/.420 career line with over 2,000 career hits, over 200 home runs, and over 200 stolen bases. Only 5 second basemen have reached the 2,000/200/200 line, and the other four are in the Hall of Fame.