Rob McElhenney will have to choose: Chase or Bryce for first pitch?
Michael Clair
@michaelsclairFor years, Mac -- Rob McElhenney's character on "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" -- wanted nothing more than to have a catch with his baseball idol, Chase Utley. He wrote him letters, saying things like, "I know I can't throw as fast as you, but I think you'd be impressed with my speed," and "I love your hair, you run fast."
Finally, after years of a wish unfulfilled, the two did get together for a catch: Before a Phillies game in 2019, Rob tossed out the first pitch to Chase.
Since then, the two have become friends, with Utley even joining McElhenney and his wife and "Always Sunny" co-star Kaitlin Olson to root on the Eagles in the NFL playoffs.
Ahead of the London Series between the Phillies and Mets, McElhenney betrayed his beloved baseballing pal: The Wrexham AFC co-owner started writing letters to Bryce Harper.
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In the video you can watch at the top of this story, Harper asks Utley what he should do about a fan who keeps sending letters that sound an awful lot like McElhenney's original note. So, Utley called his old pal and asked him to choose: Harper or him?
In the end, McElhenney found a way to get around choosing -- thanks to some help from his wife and co-star Kaitlin Olson. This time, the two started the first ceremonial double play. McElhenney fielded a grounder and flipped to Utley at second base before the 6-4-3 was completed with a toss to Harper at first.