PHILADELPHIA -- Chase Utley got curtain calls after each of his two home runs -- including a grand slam -- in his first game in Philadelphia since a trade last season to the Los Angeles Dodgers.Those cheers came after fans greeted him with a 1 1/2-minute ovation before he struck out leading off the game Tuesday night.Utley was a six-time All-Star in 13 seasons as Philadelphias second baseman, helping the team win five straight NL East titles and the 2008 World Series. Fans showed their appreciation with a long cheer before he struck out in the first inning at Citizens Bank Park.In the fifth, Utley hit a two-out solo homer and raced around the bases in customary fashion. Fans clamored for a rare curtain call by a visiting player, and Utley obliged to another standing ovation.In the seventh, Utley hit a grand slam off Michael Mariot, and fans again cheered him back out of the dugout. It was Utleys seventh career grand slam. His first career hit was a grand slam at Veterans Stadium.We had a lot of great times here at this stadium, Utley said prior to the game. I spent so much time here, so many great memories. I cant really say enough about the support I received. Obviously we had some great players and great coaches, but the fans kind of took us to the next level.Utleys presence put a buzz in Philadelphias ballpark during whats been a lackluster season. Fans applauded when he jogged to the outfield for warmups, and he twice stopped to sign autographs between conversations with former teammate Ryan Howard in center field. There were signs throughout the ballpark welcoming Utley back.As Utley hit leadoff wearing his familiar No. 26, public address announcer Dan Baker introduced him to shouts and applause, including from players on both teams. Utley doffed his helmet and waved to the crowd, and when he tried to step to the plate, fans continued their ovation. Plate umpire Ron Kulpa moved to clean home plate while Utley stepped out again, touching his heart and raising his fist in appreciation.I truly believe without their support and without them pushing us to be better, we would not have had the team that we had, Utley said of the fans.Utley was traded last Aug. 19 and never got a chance to acknowledge the fans because the trade wasnt finalized until after the game that night.I didnt really have an opportunity to say goodbye, Utley said. If I were to write up a script (last year), it would have gone a bit differently.He departed the Phillies after playing 1,551 games, compiling 1,623 hits, 142 homers and 916 RBI. Utley remains one of the most beloved Philadelphia athletes ever for his talent, hustle and grit.There are so many times Id meet a father with his son, or even a mother, who would praise the way I played and would tell me they want their son to play that way, Utley said. To me, thats a true compliment. Cheap Houston Astros Jerseys . -- New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis is retiring after a 16-year career to become the goalie coach for the Los Angeles Galaxy. Cheap Yuli Gurriel Jersey . Inter president Erick Thohir says in a club statement on Wednesday that Vidic is "one of the worlds best defenders and his qualities, international pedigree, and charisma will be an asset. http://www.cheapastrosjerseys.com/ . At a Manhattan federal court hearing, attorney Jordan Siev said his law office has gotten more evidence nearly every day to support its lawsuit accusing MLB and Selig of going on a "witch hunt" to ruin Rodriguezs reputation and career. He said the defendants went "way over the line. Cheap MLB Jerseys . The return match will take place next Wednesday. Udinese leads Fiorentina 2-1 in the other semifinal. Napoli staged a second-half comeback from two goals down after Gervinhos opener and a stunning strike from Kevin Strootman. Cheap Carlos Correa Jersey .C. -- When North Carolina freshman Ryan Switzer reported to training camp in August he was a little miffed to learn he was third on the depth chart at punt returner. The best thing about college football is that we all feel like we own it. Thats occasionally the worst thing, too. But the passion that the sport engenders is what separates it from the NFL, thank goodness.This has been an unusual year, from the uber-dominance of Alabama every single week to the uber-goofiness of the Big Ten Conference race, college footballs postseason inkblot test. If you have an opinion about the College Football Playoff, theres a Big Ten team for you.Believe in the sanctity of a conference champion? Believe in rewarding the best team? Believe that a good loss is better than a bad win? Yeah, the Big Tens got that.I walked into Lucas Oil Stadium in high dudgeon that a victorious Penn State would be jobbed, that the Big Ten champion that beat Ohio State should be in line ahead of the Buckeyes. In theory, perhaps. In reality, the Nittany Lions neither looked nor played like one of the four best teams in the nation Saturday night. Their chemistry is undoubtable, their spirit unquenchable, and no team east of USC improved more over the course of the season.But I would say the four teams in the playoff are better than Penn State, and No. 6 Michigan beat the Nittany Lions by 39 points. I dont want to see Penn State playing Alabama.The committees decision to reward Ohio State, and not the Big Ten champion, will be fodder for the eight-team playoff crowd. Maybe someone out there wants to decry the injustice of not seeing a rematch of No. 1 Alabamas 52-6 defeat of No. 9 USC, or would love to see an Ohio State-Michigan quarterfinal rematch, or see Clemson play Oklahoma in the postseason for a third consecutive season. The charms of those three matchups escape me.Lets face it. We all see Alabama walking down the 18th fairway of the final round of The Open, and we expect the telecast director to cut to the shot of the engraver etching Nick Sabans name onto the Claret Jug one more time. By this time, the guy ought to be able to do it in his sleep.Alabama is courting history in the College Football Playoff. The semifinals will reprise one famous college football game, and one infamous.Southern football announced itself on the national stage in the 1926 Rose Bowl when Alabama, invited only after Dartmouth, Yale and Colggate said no, beat a Washington team considered unbeatable.dddddddddddd The Tide spotted the Huskies a 12-0 lead, but then came back in the second half to win 20-19.We will spend the next four weeks debating Alabamas place in history more than we will debate whether Washington, a team with the kind of speed at the skill positions that has challenged the Crimson Tide, not to mention a smart, athletic defense, will pull off the upset.No team needs a respite more than the Crimson Tide, which lost another defensive starter to injury Saturday when linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton suffered a right knee injury. Safety and kick returner Eddie Jackson already is out for the year, and cornerback Marlon Humphrey has a tender hamstring.Ohio State and Clemson forever will be linked by the 1978 Gator Bowl, when elderly, infirm Buckeyes coach Woody Hayes punched Tigers linebacker Charlie Bauman after his late interception sealed Clemsons 17-15 victory. Ohio State fired Hayes the next day, guaranteeing Bauman fame he never desired. More college football fans think of that game than of Clemsons 40-35 victory over Ohio State three years ago.The Buckeyes and the Tigers shared a propensity for winning close games, a muscle that Alabama barely even flexed. Ohio State won four games by one score, two of them in overtime over the Wolverines and No. 8 Wisconsin, and two of them over 6-6 Northwestern and 3-9 Michigan State. Perhaps the latter two are why the Buckeyes fell to No. 3.Clemson won six games by seven points or fewer, which begs the question at what point a virtue becomes a liability. The selection committee evidently appreciated that four of Clemsons close victories came against teams in the final 25.But lets not allow the Xs and Os to overtake these games just yet. History is hovering close by, no matter who wins. If Alabama extends its winning streak to 27 games, the comparisons to the sports greatest teams will begin in earnest. And if Washington, Clemson or Ohio State knocks off Alabama, there will be a page in college footballs family bible for that game, too.Either way, the playoff will be making history. Cheap NFL Womens Jerseys Cheap Stitched Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping Discount NFL Jerseys Wholesale NFL Hoodies Cheap Jerseys Throwback Cheap Jerseys Throwback ' ' '