Chase Utley admits he was nervous in first at-bat back in Philly

By Tim Kelly, Sports Talk Philly editor

Though his performance did little to indicate it, Chase Utley told the collective members of the media, which included John Clark of Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, that his first at-bat in his return to Citizens Bank Park was "one of the most nervous at-bats" that he's ever had: 

Chase Utley says he was as nervous as he's ever been. Says ovations were "overwhelming" pic.twitter.com/N2GZYgM76c

— John Clark CSN (@JClarkCSN) August 17, 2016

While it may seem strange for anything to rattle Utley, it would only seem normal to feel anxious prior returning to the stadium that you spent a majority of your career playing in, especially when you know that a long ovation will precede you getting a chance to get into the batter's box. 

Philadelphia Phillies starter Vince Velasquez did strike Utley out looking in his first at-bat, which followed this standing ovation that our Rebecca Serad captured. 

For as nervous as Utley may have been in his first-bat, he seemed to calm down later in the game. Utley hit a home run into the Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen in the fifth inning, which he followed up with a grand slam in the seventh inning, which was all part of a 5 RBI night and a 15-5  Dodgers victory.