Chase Utley wanted to stick with the Philadelphia Phillies, and they were glad to keep him. The Phillies have announced a deal with the All-Star second baseman on Thursday that extends through the 2015 season. The 34-year-old Utley was in the final season of a seven-year, $85 million contract. The new contract is believed to be worth around $27 million for two years with several options. "I think its pretty clear that Im extremely excited to continue my career here in Philly," Utley said. "Ive said it several times, but the fan base here in Philadelphia is the best in all of baseball, and to have the opportunity to play in front of them nightly is special." Utley will be 40 if all his options vest and the contract takes him through the 2018 season, making it a likely possibility that he will play his entire career in Philadelphia. "We wanted him to be a Phillie for life, and that was kind of the goal," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "Theres some risk here obviously because hes had some issues. We think hes past those, and hopefully hell continue to be the player we expect him to be. I couldnt be happier and the organization couldnt be happier." Utley spoke after hitting two doubles and scoring twice in a 12-1 win over the Chicago Cubs. The five-time All-Star is batting .280 with 15 home runs and 44 RBIs Utley has never tested the open market and may have left some money on the table, but he claimed that never concerned him. "I wanted to stay in this uniform, but also I wanted to be treated fairly," he said. "I wasnt trying to break the bank. I just wanted to be treated fairly in the marketplace that we were in. ... Ive talked to some guys who have played here in our organization, and the grass isnt always greener on the other side." Utley is playing in his 11th season in the majors, all with the Phillies. He has been slowed by knee trouble in the past, but that hasnt been a problem this year. "Chase epitomizes what were all about here and what we expect from our Phillies players," Amaro said. "And the fact that he wanted to stay here, thats important to us. But more importantly, hes going to be -- and has been -- one of the most important parts of our club." Utley is one of six Phillies players remaining from the 2008 team that won the franchises second World Series title. He then hit five home runs, tying Reggie Jacksons record, in the 2009 World Series loss to the Yankees. The Phillies have regressed since then and, at 52-62, will likely miss the playoffs for the second straight season this year. Utley hopes to be a part of the rebuilding process and believes things can turn around quickly. "Weve had some great times over the past seven or eight years, and I truly believe we can get back to where we were," he said. Utley ranks eighth in Phillies history in home runs (214), eighth in doubles (291), eighth in extra-base hits (546) and first in hit by pitches (154). For six seasons from 2005-2010, Utley led all major league second basemen in homers (162), RBIs (572), runs (628) and slugging percentage (.523). Originally selected by his hometown Los Angeles Dodgers out of high school in the second round of the 1997 draft, Utley passed up pro ball and attended UCLA. Three years later, the Phillies took him with the 15th overall pick. Nike Shox Cheap Wholesale . In the lead up - which seemed to begin the moment Mike Geiger blew the whistle in Houston last Thursday night - the Impact rumour mill went into overdrive. The speculation went into meltdown mode, of the golden nugget variety. Air Max 270 React Sale . Thats not a comment on the suspension that banished the Portland Winterhawks general manager and coach from his Western Hockey League teams bench for most of the 2012-13 season. http://www.nikeshoesoutletwholesale.com/nike-shox-sale.html . "Thank you for the warm welcome," Beckham said on an 80-degree February morning. 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AUBURN, Ala. -- Danjel Purifoy and Jared Harper each scored 19 points, Horace Spencer added 12 points and Auburn topped Georgia State 83-65 on Monday night in the opening round of the Cancun Challenge.Auburn (2-0) pulled away in the second half as its shooting, which had been an issue in the first 20 minutes, picked up. They shot 56 percent in the second half to put away the Panthers, who were undone by a combination of turnovers and cold shooting.I thought we were very stagnant in the first half, much better in the second half, Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said. Its probably one of the better second-half defenses weve had. The defense was really good away from us tonight.Georgia State finished with 18 turnovers, which Auburn turned into 16 points.Purifoy was plagued with foul trouble early, and had to come out just three minutes into the game, and he didnt return for the rest of the half. But he scored 17 points in the second half to help propel the Tigers to a second consecutive win.The first half was tightly contested. Each team had trouble holding onto the ball, turning it over a combined 23 times -- 15 of which the Panthers were responsible for. Then, Harper canned two 3-pointers in the final two minutes to give Auburn a five-point lead at the break. It sparked the Tigers offense, and that carried over into the final frame.Every time they needed a play, they went to the point guard, said Georgia State coach Ron HHunter.dddddddddddd. I thought he was really, really special. He really set the tone for their team, you know, makes those other guys better.Jeremy Hollowell led Georgia State (1-1) with 20 points and four rebounds. Justin Seymour added 18 points and six rebounds for the Panthers.BIG PICTUREGeorgia State: The Panthers dropped their first game of the season, but theyll continue the Cancun Challenge with a chance to rebound.Auburn: Bruce Pearls squad keeps the undefeated start to the season rolling as his young team gains some much-needed experience.HE SAID ITHe was just all teeth. You couldnt get him to stop smiling, and thats something good to see because we got that win for him. He really wanted this win. -- Auburn forward Danjel Purifoy on center LaRon Smith, who played at Georgia State from 2012-14.HIGHLIGHT REELWith Auburn holding onto an 11-point lead and under four minutes remaining, guard T.J. Dunans picked off an errant pass and took it the length of the floor. He whipped a behind-the-back pass to a trailing Horace Spencer, who thundered home a monstrous two-handed dunk that sent Auburn Arena into a frenzy.UP NEXTGeorgia State travels to Purdue on Thursday to take on another Power 5 opponent.Auburn looks to start 3-0 this season when the Tigers host Eastern Kentucky on Thursday. ' ' '