On Oct. 29, 2009, Chase Utley launched two solo home runs off of CC Sabathia in Game 1 of the World Series. Already a defending World Series champion, Utley made his fourth consecutive All-Star team in 2009 – his age-30 season – and appeared well on his way to being a Hall of Famer. Nine years later, Utley was again in uniform at the World Series, but he wasn’t on the Los Angeles Dodgers active roster as the Boston Red Sox defeated the Dodgers to win the 2018 World Series, putting an end to Utley’s illustrious career.
Even after the 2009 World Series concluded with a Phillies loss, Utley looked like a pretty safe bet to be a Hall of Famer.