By Sunday 
A Rivalry That Never Fades
The Mets-Phillies rivalry has always been one of baseball’s most intense, and even years after hanging up his cleats, Chase Utley remains a central figure in Mets fans’ nightmares. Former Mets star Jose Reyes recently reignited the conversation, making it clear that his dislike for the Phillies legend hasn’t faded with time.
Jose Reyes Names His Least Favorite Rival
During a segment on Baseball Night in New York, host Sal Licata asked Reyes which team and player he disliked the most during his career. Without hesitation, the former shortstop named the Phillies and, specifically, Chase Utley.
“Uh, team? Philadelphia, because I always go to Philly and they boo me. And the guy that I don’t like, we never say hello to each other, was Chase Utley,” Reyes said.
He went on to recount an early encounter in 2006 when both players traveled to Japan for an exhibition series. Despite playing side by side in the infield, Reyes and Utley never exchanged pleasantries. The bad blood was there long before Utley’s infamous slide in the 2015 NLDS that shattered Ruben Tejada’s leg.
The Slide That Cemented the Hate
For Mets fans, Utley’s name is synonymous with controversy. His brutal takeout slide on Tejada not only ended the shortstop’s postseason but also altered the trajectory of his career. That moment alone would have been enough to make Utley Public Enemy Number One in Queens, but his dominance at Citi Field only added fuel to the fire.
With countless home runs launched into right field, some Mets fans even dubbed that section of the stadium “Utley’s Corner.” He wasn’t just a rival—he was a constant thorn in their side.
No Love Lost
Reyes’ comments only confirm what Mets fans have known for years: the bitterness toward Utley is as strong as ever. Whether or not Utley cares about the animosity from Queens is another story. But for Mets fans, his name will forever be tied to one of the most heated rivalries in baseball.