McCutchen, Utley Elected to Arizona Fall League Hall of Fame
August 19, 2015 - Arizona Fall League (AzFL) News Release
Phoenix, Arizona - The Arizona Fall League (AFL) announces the elections of two new members to its Hall of Fame - Pittsburgh Pirates centerfielder Andrew McCutchen and Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley.
AFL Director Steve Cobb offers, "At 28, Andrew McCutchen is one of the youngest players to merit AFL Hall of Fame consideration and election. He has become one of baseball's elite players in a very short time. Chase Utley is one of the most potent offensive performers in the history of major-league second basemen. It is an honor to welcome both players to the Arizona Fall League Hall of Fame."
Andrew McCutchen (2007 Phoenix Desert Dogs) - The 13th Fall Leaguer to win a Most Valuable Player Award (National League, 2013), McCutchen is a five-time N.L. all-star (2011-15). His mantel also includes three Silver Slugger Awards (2012-14) and one Gold Glove Award (2012) from his first six MLB seasons.
Already the Pirates' career leader in home runs by a center fielder and round-trippers at PNC Park, McCutchen is the sixth player in Pittsburgh annals to hit 100+ home runs and steal 100+ bases, joining Barry Bonds, Al Martin, Dave Parker, Andy Van Slyke and Hall of Famer Paul Waner.
McCutchen led the National League in hits (194) in 2012 and on-base percentage (.410) and OPS (.952) in 2014.
The Fort Meade, FL native led the 2007 Phoenix Desert Dogs to the AFL championship.
Chase Utley (2002 Grand Canyon Rafters) - Utley is a six-time National League all-star (2006-10, '14) and four-time Silver Slugger Award recipient (2006-09). He also was a key cog in two Philadelphia World Series teams (2008-09), including the '08 champions.
One of the top players in postseason history, the Pasadena, CA product homered five times in the '09 World Series to set an N.L. record and tie Yankee Reggie Jackson for the MLB mark. Utley also set an MLB standard by reaching base in 27 consecutive postseason games (2007-09). He is one of 34 players to homer in his first World Series at-bat and he remains the Phillies' all-time leader in postseason runs (38) and game-winning RBI (5).
Among MLB second basemen from 2005-14, he led in runs scored (868) and on-base percentage (.375). In 2008, he became one of four players in MLB history to homer in five consecutive games twice in the same season. In 2006, he authored a 35-game hitting streak to tie for 10th longest in baseball annals and join Luis Castillo for longest among second sackers.
Nostalgic Phillie fans also remember Utley as the final batter at Veterans Stadium on September 28, 2003.
Arizona Fall League Hall of Fame - The Arizona Fall League formed its Hall of Fame in 2001 to honor the top major-league players and managers who honed their skills in the AFL. The selection committee, chaired by baseball ambassador Roland Hemond, the "Architect of the Arizona Fall League," selects candidates based upon individual achievement at the major-league level since participating in the Arizona Fall League.
- Garret Anderson - Dusty Baker - Chris Carpenter - Carl Crawford - Jermaine Dye - Darin Erstad - Terry Francona - Nomar Garciaparra - Jason Giambi - Brian Giles - Shawn Green - Roy Halladay - Todd Helton - Matt Holliday - Ryan Howard - Torii Hunter - Derek Jeter - Paul Konerko - Derrek Lee - Grady Little - Derek Lowe - Ken Macha - Jerry Manuel - Andrew McCutchen - Bob Melvin - Dustin Pedroia - Tony Pena - Troy Percival - Mike Piazza - Albert Pujols - Jimmy Rollins - Mike Scioscia - Alfonso Soriano - Mark Teixeira - Chase Utley - Ron Washington - Eric Wedge - Michael Young 2015 inductee
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