Chase Utley makes stunning admission about infamous Ruben Tejada slide
Share this @internewscast.com

Ten years later, Chase Utley is getting candid about the play that made him infamous in Flushing.

Utley, who used to play second base for the Phillies and Dodgers, appeared on Barstool Sports’ “Pardon My Take” podcast on Wednesday. During his appearance, he discussed his controversial slide in the 2015 NLDS Game 2 that resulted in Ruben Tejada breaking his right fibula.

Utley — who was playing with Los Angeles during the series — expressed some regrets about how the whole situation played out.

Utley explained on the podcast that he went in aggressively during that crucial seventh inning, but he had no intention of injuring Tejada. He expected Tejada to leap after receiving the ball at second base from Daniel Murphy.

Instead, Tejada turned and didn’t get high enough, leading to the violent collision that knocked Tejada out for the rest of the postseason.


Ruben Tejada #11 of the New York Mets is kicked upside down as Chase Utley #26 of the Los Angeles Dodgers slides into him reaching for second. Tejada is taken out of the game by stretcher in the seventh inning.
Ruben Tejada #11 of the New York Mets is kicked upside down as Chase Utley #26 of the Los Angeles Dodgers slides into him reaching for second. Tejada is taken out of the game by stretcher in the seventh inning. Anthony J. Causi

“There was absolutely no intention to harm anyone during that play,” Utley remarked. “I’ve always slid in hard, and this situation was no different. The result was certainly unlike any other slide I’ve made. I didn’t expect to collide with him as hard as I did. I assumed he would leap because of the way the play was developing, and as you know, it unfolds rapidly. When he caught the ball, I thought, ‘Alright, he’s going to touch the bag, jump up, and try to make the throw.’ I aimed to slide with my body slightly elevated to disrupt his throw. Instead, he spun around, which caught me off guard.”

Utley then said he didn’t feel great about it all shook out, going as far to say he “felt terrible” about the situation.


 Ruben Tejada #11 grimaces as he is attended to after injuring his leg after getting upended by Chase Utley #26 in the 7th inning.
Ruben Tejada grimaces as he is attended to after injuring his leg after getting upended by Chase Utley in the 7th inning. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post

“And looking back on it, I didn’t feel good about it,” Utley said. “I actually felt terrible about it. I had no intention of hurting him whatsoever.”

The six-time All-Star said he attempted to apologize to Tejada, who apparently wanted no part in that, which Utley said made total sense.

Utley was initially suspended two games by MLB, but appealed and was allowed to remain active in the series, getting booed mercilessly by the Citi Field crowd during the Game 3 introductions before one more at-bat in Game 5.

The league eventually dropped the suspension entirely but changed the rules to make it clear about how a runner should slide into second base. Not long after in 2016, the Mets’ Noah Syndergaard threw behind Utley when the two teams met in Queens the following season, leading to a viral ejection and argument from then-New York skipper Terry Collins.

Utley, at the end of his response, said he’d do things differently now knowing the outcome for Tejada, who played just 83 more big league games.

“If I could go back in time and knowing the outcome that happened, of course I would’ve done it differently,” Utley said. “I would’ve realized that he’s not going to jump, he’s going to spin, and I could’ve disrupted his throw differently.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
IDF eliminates terrorist in 'another ceasefire violation' in Gaza

IDF Neutralizes Terrorist Amid Gaza Ceasefire Breach: Latest Developments

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported on Tuesday that they successfully intercepted…
Carnival Cruise passenger who died onboard identified as high school cheerleader, FBI investigating

FBI Investigates Tragic Death of High School Cheerleader Aboard Carnival Cruise

The young passenger who tragically lost her life aboard the Carnival Horizon…
The Supreme Court is expected to say whether full SNAP food payments can resume

Supreme Court Decision Looms: Will Full SNAP Food Benefits Make a Comeback?

Ultimate decisions regarding the reinstatement of full payments under the SNAP food…
Chicago carjacker gets 10 years in prison for stealing elderly woman's luxury Rolls-Royce: police

Chicago Carjacker Sentenced to 10 Years for Targeting Elderly Woman’s Luxury Rolls-Royce

A Chicago man, who previously found himself on probation, will not be…
Washington Dulles airport transport vehicle slams into dock, 18 hospitalized

Transport Vehicle Accident at Washington Dulles Airport Sends 18 to Hospital

A mobile lounge, commonly referred to as a people mover, collided with…
KISS guitarist Ace Frehley’s cause of death revealed

Cause of Death for KISS Guitarist Ace Frehley Disclosed

The cause of death for Ace Frehley, the legendary guitarist and co-founder…
Fannie Mae ethics team gutted as they investigated FHFA head Pulte

Fannie Mae Ethics Team Significantly Reduced Amid Investigation into FHFA Chief Pulte

A recent report suggests that the anti-Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) measures…
BMW driver loses bid to toss murder charges in high-speed Pepperdine U crash that killed 4 students

BMW Driver’s Attempt to Dismiss Murder Charges in High-Speed Pepperdine University Crash That Resulted in Four Student Fatalities Rejected

A man from California, charged with causing a fatal accident that took…
Convicted sex offender allegedly tried to kill woman he followed home from Nashville concert

Convicted Sex Offender Charged with Attempted Murder After Stalking Woman Post-Nashville Concert

A man previously convicted of sex offenses was taken into custody on…
No One Shocked: 'Historic' Former Trans Lawmaker Pleads Guilty to Child Sexual Exploitation

Former Transgender Lawmaker Admits Guilt in Child Exploitation Case: A Legal and Social Reckoning

The news of Stacie-Marie Laughton’s guilty plea to federal child sexual exploitation…
Blue city police search for suspect after unprovoked stabbing at college train stop

Urgent Alert: Blue City Police Hunt for Attacker in Shocking College Train Stop Stabbing

Chicago police are actively searching for a suspect accused of unexpectedly stabbing…
ICE arrests Moldovan illegal immigrant and convicted killer who tortured, threw victim out ninth-floor window

ICE Detains Moldovan Immigrant Linked to Gruesome Murder Involving Ninth-Floor Window Plunge

EXCLUSIVE TO FOX: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the…