He did it! Mac of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia finally got to meet his hero, Phillies’ legend Chase Utley, and he even got that long-awaited game of catch.
The Philadelphia team celebrated Chase Utley's recent retirement by having him return to throw the first pitch before the game on Friday. It's Always Sunny's creator and Mac actor Rob McElhenney was the special guest sent out to catch the ball. His jersey even read "Mac." The moment made fans misty for Mac, and was obviously huge for McElhenney as well, who called it a "dream come true."
It was a moment 10 years in the making. In Sunny Season 5, Episode 6, "The World Series Defense," Mac wrote a gushing "love letter" to Chase Utley. That 2009 scene was actually referenced and shown on the big screen during the baseball game, as Rob McElhenney shared with his thanks on Instagram:
Rob McElhenney also reposted Dee co-star (and wife) Kaitlin Olson's video on the big catch moment:
Watch the full scene of Dee reading off Mac's letter ("oh shit there's stickers") in 2009. Here's the full content of that letter:
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!
Chase Utley actually guest starred in Sunny Season 6, posing with Dennis for a photo Dennis sent to Mac. Utley is clearly down for all kinds of Sunny shenanigans, and he responded to Mac's letter five years after the original episode aired, sharing his own letter.
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia fans loved the bookend for the Chase Utley storyline -- not that the comedy is over. Sunny had a mindblowing Season 13 finale, and was renewed for Season 14 on FXX. It looks like Glenn Howerton's Dennis will be back with the gang, thanks but no thanks to NBC cancelling his show A.P. Bio. It's possible Sunny could even continue for Season 15 and beyond.
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 13 aired in 2018, and Season 14 is expected in either late 2019 or 2020.
