Chase Utley's connection to the Dodgers' last World Series

Chase Utley has not only won a World Series as a player with the Philadelphia Phillies but has a connection to the Dodgers' most recent World Series championship in 1988 that Los Angeles can only hope will be a good omen for its postseason run this year as Utley joins the team after being traded to the Dodgers earlier this week.

While Utley and the Phillies, including current Dodgers shortstop Jimmy Rollins, won the World Series in 2008, the Dodgers have experienced a 27-year World Series drought.

However, Utley, a native of the Los Angeles metro area, has a special connection to the Dodgers' World Series in '88 that he and the Blue Crew hope will serve as a premonition for glory to come.

"I remember going to a 1988 World Series game with my dad, so there's definitely some family ties there," Utley said as he discussed his transition from Philadelphia to Los Angeles.

Although he possessed a complete no-trade clause on his contract, the 36-year-old infielder decided to join the Dodgers, not just because they are his hometown team, but because they present him with another shot at postseason glory.

"This was No. 1 on my list," Utley said. "I'd like to participate a little bit in getting to that time of year. There's no better time than postseason baseball. When you're chasing down trying to get to the playoffs in September, there's nothing like it.

"Obviously, we experienced that here a few years back for a while and it was a good time. Like I said, the Dodgers were a team I grew up watching. The other teams I would consider going to would have been great fits as well, but I think ultimately the Phillies felt the best deal was with the Dodgers and I respect that and I think it's a good fit for me as well."

As he returns home, Utley and the Dodgers are both focused on that same goal: to create history much like Utley witnessed as a 9-year-old boy in Dodger Stadium.

(h/t MLB.com)