Fans of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," the longest-running live-action sitcom in the history of broadcast television, no doubt remember Mac's "love" letter to legendary Phillies second baseman Chase Utley in the season 5 episode "The World Series Defense." The pathetic note, scrawled on notebook paper, complete with stickers ("You got to jazz it up") and crude, childlike illustrations, is a rambling, largely incoherent message describing Mac's deep admiration for Utley, and his hope of some day having a "catch" with his favorite Phillie.
In the years since, Mac's Utley obsession has taken on a life of its own, becoming a running joke of sorts, with the All-Star second baseman responding (albeit four years later) in a similarly amusing follow-up letter courtesy of MLB FanCave. When Utley, who went on to appear in a later episode of "It's Always Sunny" with teammate Ryan Howard, announced his retirement in 2019, it was only fitting that Mac, memorably portrayed by series creator Rob McElhenney, would be behind the plate to catch his ceremonial first pitch at Citizens Bank Park.
McElhenney teased an Utley appearance on the show's upcoming 16th season, showing his trailer on the Fox studio lot.
McElhenney stayed plenty busy during his yearlong hiatus from "It's Always Sunny," hosting a popular podcast with cast members Glenn Howerton and Charlie Day, while also releasing new seasons of "Mythic Quest," a workplace comedy on Apple TV+, and "Welcome to Wrexham," a reality series documenting Wrexham AFC, a Welsh soccer club he co-owns with actor Ryan Reynolds.
Utley, meanwhile, is slated to appear on next year's Hall of Fame ballot, debuting alongside fellow first-year candidates Jose Bautista, Bartolo Colon, Matt Holliday, David Wright, Victor Martinez, Joe Mauer and Adrian Beltre.
