Dreams really do come true sometimes.
Rob McElhenney had “a catch” with former Phillies second baseman Chase Utley during the player’s retirement ceremony Friday, fulfilling the life-long dream of the “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” co-creator/star’s character, Mac, on the FXX series.
Readers can watch the video above to see the pair toss the ball around in front of more than 40,000 people ahead of the Phillies game against the Miami Marlins.
Now if Mac had been the one throwing with Chase, we know he’d truly be able to die happy. This is because a Season 5 episode of “It’s Always Sunny” titled “The World Series Defense” revealed the character had written this letter to his idol, who later guest-starred as himself on the show:
“Dear Chase, I feel like I can call you Chase because you and me are so alike. I’d like to meet you one day, it would be great to have a catch. I know I can’t throw as fast as you but I think you’d be impressed with my speed. I love your hair, you run fast. Did you have a good relationship with your father? Me neither. These are all things we can talk about and more. I know you have no been getting my letters because I know you would write back if you did. I hope you write back this time, and we can become good friends. I am sure our relationship would be a real home run!”
Actually, it’s possible McElhenney was just as overwhelmed by the moment as Mac would have been.
“What an amazing night. Thanks to the @phillies for making a dream come true for a little boy (trapped in a grown man’s body),” the FXX star wrote on Instagram after “the catch.” “But a special thanks and congratulations to @chaseutley for an amazing career. You earned every second of the adoration from those fans at the park and at home. And of course from my despicable and sad onscreen persona. Excited to see the next stage in your career in the booth! Cheers buddy.”
See McElhenney’s post below, which shows the clip from “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” where Dee reads Mac’s letter to Utley.
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